PUMA hits out at Sanjay Manjrekar over criticism of Nitish Kumar Reddy’s post-MCG heroics
India’s rising star Nitish Kumar Reddy made a statement on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia as he silenced his critics with his maiden Test century at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 28.
The 21-year-old showed his talent and composure under pressure, remaining unbeaten on 105 at stumps. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s brilliant knock was instrumental as India reached 385/9 at stumps on Day 3 in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 474 in the ongoing Boxing Day Test.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s stunning century silences critics in style at the MCG
He also shared a crucial 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar, who chipped in with a fifty in Melbourne. Sundar and Reddy’s stand for the eighth wicket helped stabilize India’s innings after a shaky start and gave the visitors a fighting chance in the ongoing fourth Test against Australia.
The record century holds even more significance for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has been impressive since the first Test with the bat, as it came in the wake of criticism from former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who had questioned his place in the Indian team.
Can we get 120 from someone batting at no. 8? Sanjay Manjrekar questions Reddy’s ability
Before the start of the Boxing Day Test, Sanjay Manjrekar had expressed doubts about Reddy being considered an all-rounder as he felt it was too early to label. However, Reddy’s exceptional performance at the MCG proved his mettle and justified his inclusion in the playing eleven.
Sanjay Manjrekar had said during an interaction on ESPNcricinfo, “Look, there is no doubt about the potential he has and how well he has played. But can we get 120 from someone who bats at No.8? He is clearly not a batsman bowling that can get you a seven-wicket haul.Is he, at this stage, good enough to go up the order and play as a pure batsman?Then you can add a bowl extra. His bowling is not good enough to play him as an all-rounder. It is too early to consider him as an all-rounder.”
PUMA troll Sanjay Manjrekar as Nitish Kumar Reddy’s knock speaks louder than words
Now, after his stunning Test century at the MCG, PUMA decided to give Sanjay Manjrekar a taste of his own medicine publicly for underestimating Nitish Kumar Reddy and questioning his place in the Test XI.
In particular, Reddy is sponsored by PUMA, and the brand did not miss the opportunity to support their star player, but even they are too cool to take revenge. On social media platform X, PUMA Cricket ran Manjrekar replying to one of the former Indian batsman and commentator’s old tweets about Reddy.
PUMA released a picture from an official photoshoot where Nitish Reddy is seen making a ‘shut up’ gesture for taking a brutal dig at Manjrekar after the all-rounder’s incredible century that silenced many critics.
https://t.co/JlrL7DXTFf pic.twitter.com/MhCQ0ZBc7L
— PUMA Cricket (@pumacricket) December 28, 2024
Notably, the Indian selectors had made a bold call in picking Reddy, who averaged 21 after 21 first-class matches, for the high-profile 2024-25 BGT, but he justified his selection with his remarkable performances in their inaugural Test series. He is currently India’s leading run scorer in the ongoing five-match Test series with 284 runs in four innings so far.
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