Ravi Shastri on watching Nitish Kumar Reddy’s ton: ‘There were tears in my eyes’ | Cricket News
Former Indian cricket and Head Coach Ravi Shastri was visibly emotional, as Nitish Kumar Reddy went on to score his maiden international century at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Boxing Day Test on Saturday. He was sitting with Jatin Sapru and Irfan Pathan in the commentary box, who were the only ones speaking until Ravi Shastri, in a shaky voice said “Ye aankhon mein aansu dene wala 100 tha” (This was a century that would bring tears to ones eyes).
Ravi Shastri then told after the match, that it was because of how emotional the all-rounder’s father was.
“I was emotional because broadcasters were showing his (father’s) photos. The sacrifice he has made to let Nitish play cricket and most importantly the character, the discipline and the application he has shown.
“That’s why only you (Jatin Sapru) and Irfan (Pathan) were talking. I was tongue tied.”
Emotions erupted when #NitishKumarReddy brought up his maiden Test ton! 🇮🇳💪#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 4 | SUN, 29th DEC, 4:30 AM | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/f7sS2rBU1l
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 28, 2024
Jatin Sapru and Irfan Pathan erupted with sheer joy as Nitish Kumar Reddy hit that lofted straight drive that took him to his century, while it took everything for the usually cheerful and loud Ravi Shastri to utter even a single line.
“Aansu tha mere aankhon mey, aur itne aasani se aansu nahi aata mere aankho mey (There were tears in my eyes and it doesn’t come easily).”
The 21-year-old Reddy’s remarkable maiden Test century against Australia helped India keep the first-innings deficit to 105 runs, which could have been in excess of 200 after the visitors were reduced to 221 for seven in reply to the hosts’ 474 at one stage.
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