Nitish Kumar Reddy is certainly making his debut series unforgettable. After contributing significant scores of 40 runs in matches against Australia in Perth and Adelaide, the 21-year-old achieved his first century during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The right-handed batsman scored an impressive 114 runs off 189 deliveries, playing a crucial role in India's comeback.

On Day 3, as Nitish reached this significant milestone, his father, Mutyalu Reddy, was visibly emotional in the stands, and shortly thereafter, he was seen conversing with former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar. Mutyalu expressed his admiration for Gavaskar, referring to him as the 'God of cricket.'

Throughout the years, Nitish's father has made numerous sacrifices, including resigning from his job to support his son's cricketing ambitions. Thus, it is understandable that the entire Reddy family was overcome with emotion.

During the lunch break on Day 4, Mutyalu Reddy had the opportunity to speak with Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri. In a moment of reverence, he touched Gavaskar's feet, which deeply moved the former cricketer.

Reflecting on this encounter, Mutyalu Reddy shared with the Indian Express, "We are aware of our roots and our origins. I hail from a small town where my name is unknown beyond my local area. Yet today, in Australia, people are requesting selfies with me. I cannot articulate the joy and pride I feel. When I saw Sunil Gavaskar the day after my son scored that century, I was overwhelmed. I felt compelled to perform a proper namaskaram, touch his feet, and seek his blessings."

Gavaskar is regarded as a legendary figure in the realm of cricket

Nitish's father expressed that had his son been present, he would have encouraged him to pay his respects by touching the feet of Sunil Gavaskar. He reminisced about the joy of watching Gavaskar play, recalling how he would applaud every boundary scored.

"Gavaskar is revered as a deity in the realm of cricket. Icons such as Sachin Tendulkar, Gavaskar, MSK Prasad, and Rahul Dravid are all regarded with the utmost reverence. The moment I laid eyes on him, it felt as though I had encountered a divine figure, prompting me to seek his blessings. I touched his feet and requested his blessings; had my son been here, I would have urged him to do the same. Each time Gavaskar struck a boundary, I would cheer, and now, reflecting on my son, I found myself in tears. I was overwhelmed," he stated.

Furthermore, Mutyalu Reddy remarked, "What does the trophy signify? (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) When one encounters such legends, failing to show humility by touching their feet may come across as arrogance. Gavaskar sir remarked, 'You have raised a commendable player for Indian cricket; he is performing admirably and possesses the stability to excel in all formats. I look forward to witnessing more centuries from him.'"

Currently, Nitish Kumar Reddy stands as India's leading run-scorer in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, emerging as a significant discovery for the visiting team.

His century has been pivotal in keeping India competitive in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. An exhilarating Day 5 awaits, as Australia has increased their lead to over 330 runs in Melbourne, with Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland still at the crease.

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