Nitish Kumar Reddy Scripts History: First Indian Batter to Hit Six Sixes in Australia
All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has set a record in the Test series between India and Australia. It is a five-match series. The 22-year-old batter is the first Indian to hit six sixes against pacers in Tests on Australian soil. Reddy’s strong performances have made him a key player for India.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Record-Breaking Feat
Reddy’s six-hitting ability has been the highlight of his tour so far. Of his six maximums, he smashed two each off Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, and one against Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc. No Indian batter before him has hit more than three sixes against fast bowlers in Australia in Tests.
Indians with Most Sixes vs Pacers in Australia (Tests):
- Nitish Kumar Reddy – 6
- Zaheer Khan – 3
- Rishabh Pant – 3
- Ajinkya Rahane – 3
- Rohit Sharma – 3
Reddy has hit a six against Marnus Labuschagne in Perth. That brings his total in this series to seven. He is about to break the record for most sixes by an Indian batter in Australia. Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma share the record with 10 sixes each.
Consistent Batting Contributions
Nitish Kumar Reddy has displayed remarkable consistency with the bat in the series. In India’s first two Tests, the opposing team bowled them out for 150, 180, and 175. Despite this, Reddy scored 41, 42, and 42, respectively.
India posted a commanding 487/6 declared in the third Test. Reddy chipped in with an unbeaten 38 off just 27 balls. In four innings, he has scored 163 runs at an average of 54.33. This includes 18 boundaries and seven sixes.
Chasing Historic Six-Hitting Milestones
At just 22 years old, Reddy is not only rewriting Indian records but also closing in on global milestones. He needs to hit six more sixes to break the record of 12 in a Test series in Australia. Chris Gayle and Viv Richards share it.
Indian Batters with Most Sixes in Australia (Tests):
- Rishabh Pant – 10
- Rohit Sharma – 10
- Virender Sehwag – 8
- Nitish Kumar Reddy – 7 (and counting)
If Reddy continues his rich vein of form, he could surpass this elite list before the series concludes.
Rise to Prominence
Nitish Kumar Reddy starred in IPL 2024 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. His T20I heroics against Bangladesh earned him a spot on the Test squad. In his red-ball debut at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Reddy impressed. He showed his versatility and potential as a match-winner for India.
With two Tests left in the series, Reddy can break records and prove he’s a rising star in Indian cricket. As India looks to level the series, Reddy’s form with the bat and his ability to handle pressure will be crucial.
Key Match Stats (so far):
- Runs Scored: 163
- Batting Average:33
- Sixes Hit: 7 (6 vs pacers, 1 vs Labuschagne)
- Boundaries: 18
