Take a bullet for country: Nitish Reddy reveals Gautam Gambhir's inspiring advice

Nitish Kumar Reddy credited head coach Gautam Gambhir's inspiring message during practice for helping him deliver an impactful 41-run knock on his Test debut, standing tall amidst India's batting struggles in the Border Gavaskar Trophy opener against Australia in Perth.

In Short

• Gambhir shared inspirational advice to Nitish on handling bouncers on Perth
• Nitish Reddy scored 41 on a challenging Perth Test debut
• India’s bowlers dismantled Australia, leaving them at 67/7 by stumps

India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy credited head coach Gautam Gambhir’s motivating message during the final practice session as a crucial factor in his impressive Test debut against Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth on November 22. Gambhir’s advice emphasised resilience and technique while handling Australia’s bouncers, inspiring Nitish to make the most of his maiden appearance in the longest format.

Speaking at the post-match press conference after Day 1, Nitish reflected on how Gambhir’s words instilled confidence and helped him stay composed under pressure. He expressed his gratitude for the trust shown in him and highlighted the importance of staying mentally strong on a challenging Perth pitch.

AUS vs IND Perth Test, Day 1: Highlights

"Even I heard a lot about Perth and I still remember when we were having after the last practice session, I had a chat with Gautam Gambhir sir. He mentioned when you get any bouncers or something like those sharp spells, you just take them on to your shoulders and just feel like you are taking a bullet for your country," Nitish said.

"So that really helped me a lot, that just boosted me up. So I was feeling that somehow you'll have that on the back of the mind. He said that thing and I felt like you need to take bullets for your country," he added.

Nitish’s debut was another milestone in a stellar 2024 season, following his impactful T20I debut during the home series against Bangladesh only a month before. His 41-run knock stood out in India’s first innings collapse, where the batting lineup faltered against Australia’s disciplined attack. Despite minimal contributions from star players like Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and an unlucky KL Rahul, Nitish and Rishabh Pant's 37-run knock helped India reach 150.

India’s bowlers, however, turned the game around with a stellar performance. Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah led from the front with a sensational 4/17 spell. Mohammed Siraj (2/17) and fellow debutant Harshit Rana (1/33) supported admirably, leaving Australia reeling at 67/7 by stumps.

Nitish’s Test debut showcased his maturity and determination, earning praise for his calm approach under pressure. With Gambhir’s guidance and the team’s collective effort, India ended the day in a commanding position, setting the stage for an exciting contest in the series opener.