When Nitish Kumar Reddy struck his maiden Test century at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday, a wave of relief seemed to sweep over him, signaling his arrival on the grand stage.

The scenes following the early stumps on Day 3 were profoundly emotional, with Reddy’s family, brimming with pride and joy, beamed with smiles as they celebrated his historic feat. The century was particularly significant as it arrived at a critical juncture when India was battling the relentless Australian attack, with the top-order faltering under pressure.