BGT Series: Explosive Nitish Reddy catches the eye in Adelaide Pink Ball Test

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One swallow doesn't make a summer but to show potential and score runs in two Test matches in succession, Nitish Reddy has certainly arrived.

When the Andhra cricketer, 21, made his debut in Perth, a few people raised their eyebrows. He has always been an exciting all-rounder to watch, someone who can bat and bowl, and be ready for every format. Just that to click in Perth and then again smash the ball with impunity on Friday in the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide made for great viewing.

He had earned praise from many quarters with his exploits in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad. But there is a big difference between T20 and Tests, a gap which Reddy has bridged so soon. What catches the eye of one and all is he bats freely and naturally. There is no hesitancy in his shot production, which was much needed today. To expect him to hold one end and bat long maybe an unrealistic expectation. But the audacious runs he scored against Mitch Starc and Scott Boland made for great viewing. He drilled sixes and fours, as his knock was indeed filled with innovation. For those who think batting in Tests has to be copy book, don't expect that from batters like Rishabh Pant and Nitish Reddy.

There is a big difference between reckless and fearless. Indeed the geometry of shots which Reddy produced today and was watched live and on TV left may jaws gaping. He has come in for praise from youth and experts, Sunil Gavaskar included. To be sure, his bold and brave approach is a reflection of how Nitish Reddy has played his cricket from the age of 5. The 42 off 54 balls in Adelaide against the much-hyped Pink Ball will be talked of for long. And even as Reddy was going hammer and tong, Jasprit Bumrah was all smiles at the other end. With wickets falling, when Reddy attempted one more maximum, he mistimed it and was caught. How does one not talk of the reverse hit six which was breath-taking, that showed temperament plus how the boy is gifted with a good eye and great timing. All these things have been learnt from the IPL. He was mentored, initially, by MSK Reddy, the former chairman of the selection committee.

With the ball, too, Nitish Teddy is valuable. The sadists may say, based on Friday's performance, the Aussies have bounced back, but there is still plenty of cricket left in the BGT Series. With the ball, Reddy still has a lot more to do, though he is not afraid of using the conditions. He bowled only three overs on Friday but each match will be a learning experience. Someone like Sunil Gavaskar was suggesting three months back, Hardik Pandya should play more domestic cricket and be ready for the Australia tour as an all-rounder, wherein he would need to bowl maximum, 10 overs a day. That role has been grabbed by Nitish Reddy, that's how it appears now.