Chapter 145

As Nitish Reddy strode to the crease on that dramatic day during the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup finals, he was met with a daunting task. India had slumped to 2/2 against England, and the Eden Gardens was shrouded in a tense silence. The crowd, initially buzzing with anticipation, had been rendered speechless by Joe Root's spin wizardry. But Nitish had other plans.

The Magic Over:

Joe Root, who had spun a web around the Indian top order, was entrusted with the ball for another over. He had already dismissed the dangerous Rohit Sharma and the reliable Ajinkya Rahane, sending shockwaves through the Indian camp. But Nitish Reddy was about to unleash a stunning assault that would change the course of the game.

The first ball of the over was dispatched with authority. Nitish, fearless and unrelenting, danced down the track to Root's off-spin, lofting the ball high over the long-on boundary for a magnificent six. The crowd, which had been resigned to despair, erupted in a collective roar of astonishment and hope.

Harsha Bhogle (with excitement): "What a shot! Nitish Reddy has decided to take matters into his own hands. That's a terrific hit!"

Ravi Shastri (with enthusiasm): "He's fearless, Harsha. This young man is making a statement."

The second delivery of the over was met with a similar fate. Root, trying to adjust his line, bowled it slightly short. Nitish, seizing the opportunity, swiveled on his back foot and pulled the ball with authority over the deep mid-wicket boundary for another colossal six. The crowd, now electrified, could hardly believe their eyes.

Harsha Bhogle (with excitement): "Back-to-back sixes! Nitish Reddy is on fire! England is shell-shocked."

Ravi Shastri (with admiration): "He's showing no mercy. This is an onslaught!"

Root, rattled by the onslaught, was losing his rhythm. His third delivery was a full toss, and Nitish, with impeccable timing, drove it through the covers for a boundary. The Eden Gardens was alive with the sounds of cheers and applause. It was as if Nitish had single-handedly reignited the fire in the hearts of Indian cricket fans.

Harsha Bhogle (with awe): "Three boundaries in a row! Nitish Reddy is unstoppable!"

Ravi Shastri (with excitement): "And he's not done yet, Harsha. Root is under immense pressure."

The fourth ball of the over was a full-length delivery, but Nitish was ready. He stepped out of his crease and lofted it straight down the ground for yet another six. The crowd, witnessing an incredible display of batting, was in a frenzy. Nitish had turned the game on its head in a matter of balls.

Harsha Bhogle (with disbelief): "It's raining sixes at the Eden Gardens! Nitish Reddy is playing a special innings."

Ravi Shastri (with enthusiasm): "This is a blitz, Harsha. Root has no answers."

Root's Misery Continues:

The fifth ball of the over was an attempted yorker, but it ended up as a low full toss. Nitish, sensing the opportunity, used his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and hammered it over the long-off boundary for yet another six. The stadium was engulfed in a sea of jubilation.

Harsha Bhogle (with excitement): "It's another six! Nitish Reddy is making Root pay for every mistake."

Ravi Shastri (with enthusiasm): "He's creating a hurricane out there, Harsha. Root must be praying for this over to end."

Root's torment finally came to an end with the sixth delivery, which was a dot ball. Nitish, after wreaking havoc, decided to play out the last ball safely, acknowledging the applause from the appreciative crowd. He had made 28 runs off that over, a stunning assault that had completely changed the complexion of the game.

Harsha Bhogle (with admiration): "What an over by Nitish Reddy! 28 runs off it. Root won't forget this anytime soon."

Ravi Shastri (with pride): "He's played an innings of sheer audacity. This is the turning point."

Nitish's Fearless Fifty:

As the dust settled after that remarkable over, India's score had surged to 58/3 in just seven overs. Nitish had raced to 37 off 15 balls, while Virat Kohli, at the other end, had been content to rotate the strike and provide the young sensation with the support he needed.

Harsha Bhogle (with excitement): "Nitish Reddy has brought India back into the contest with that stunning over."

Ravi Shastri (with enthusiasm): "And he's not done yet. This partnership with Kohli is crucial."

Nitish continued his fearless assault, playing innovative strokes and taking calculated risks. He reached his fifty in just 23 balls, a testament to his audacity and composure under pressure. The crowd, which had been stunned into silence at the start, was now chanting Nitish's name with fervor.

Harsha Bhogle (with admiration): "What a fifty! Nitish Reddy has played a gem of an innings."

Ravi Shastri (with pride): "He's been the game-changer, Harsha. A fearless young talent."

Kohli's Responsibility:

While Nitish blazed away, Kohli played the role of the anchor. He was batting responsibly, picking the gaps, and ensuring that the scoreboard kept ticking. The partnership between the two was a blend of youth and experience, aggression and composure.

Harsha Bhogle (with anticipation): "Kohli is playing a mature innings here. He's providing the stability India needs."

Ravi Shastri (with confidence): "Absolutely, Harsha. Nitish is the aggressor, and Kohli is the sheet anchor."

However, as the innings progressed, something unexpected began to happen. The pitch, which had initially seemed conducive to batting, started to display unpredictable behavior. Some deliveries bounced alarmingly, while others kept low. It was as if the pitch itself was playing tricks.

Nitish, aware of the changing conditions, decided to exercise caution. He had already done the damage, and now he focused on stabilizing the innings. The boundaries became less frequent, and singles and twos took precedence. Kohli, too, adjusted his game plan, recognizing the need to preserve wickets.

Harsha Bhogle (with analysis): "The pitch is starting to misbehave. It's a challenging phase for the batsmen."

Ravi Shastri (with caution): "Nitish and Kohli need to consolidate. They've set the platform."

The partnership between Nitish Reddy and Virat Kohli had not just rescued India from the jaws of disaster; it had put them in a position of strength. The score had reached 90/3 after 10 overs, and the fans, who had witnessed a breathtaking assault by Nitish, were now witnessing a mature partnership that aimed to take India to victory.

Harsha Bhogle (with excitement): "India is back in the contest, Ravi. This partnership has been a game-changer."

Ravi Shastri (with optimism): "And with Nitish and Kohli at the crease, anything is possible. The game is on!"