“Back to the drawing board”

Indian cricketer Nitish Kumar Reddy took to social media to address India’s defeat in the second 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval, underscoring the team’s determination to recover and perform better in the remaining matches of the series.

India claimed a dominant 295-run victory in the first Test, but the second match proved challenging. Batting first, India were dismissed for just 180, with Nitish top-scoring at 42. In response, Travis Head’s brilliant 140 helped Australia post 337, giving them a crucial 157-run lead.

The Indian batting lineup faltered again in their second innings, collapsing for 175, with Nitish once more top-scoring with 42 runs. Chasing a modest target of 19, Australia won by 10 wickets, with the game concluding in just three days.

Following the loss, the young Indian all-rounder took to Instagram to share a message. He wrote:

“Not the outcome we had hoped for at the Adelaide Oval. Back to the drawing board now with a focus to come back with renewed zeal. Stronger together.”

The third game of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to begin on Saturday, December 14, in Brisbane.

“I am totally impressed” – Aakash Chopra lauds Nitish Kumar Reddy’s performance in the first two Tests against Australia

Aakash Chopra has referred to Nitish Kumar Reddy as India’s “breakout star” in the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Despite India’s crushing defeat in the second Test, Nitish impressed everyone, particularly with his batting.

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra praised the young talent on his YouTube channel, saying:

“At times, when you are young, you don’t have any excess baggage. This boy has been very, very impressive. There is a very good stat – no Indian batter has hit more sixes than him against fast bowling in Tests in Australia to date, and he has played only two Tests.”

“He has been outstanding. He is the breakout star of this Indian cricket team on this tour of Australia. He has exceeded our expectations. I am totally impressed. Nitish Kumar Reddy as a batter looks ready. Nitish Kumar Reddy as a bowler is still a work in progress,” Chopra added.

The 21-year-old has accumulated 163 runs in two Tests at an average of 54.33 and has also taken two wickets.