India captain Shubman Gill had a proud moment to share in Telugu as he lauded young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy for a dream start to the third Test against England at Lord’s.
After being asked to bowl first, Team India knew they needed an early breakthrough to shift the momentum. The turning point came shortly after the first drinks break, when Shubman Gill handed the ball to Nitish Kumar Reddy—a decision that proved to be a tactical masterstroke.
Nicknamed India’s “golden arm” for his uncanny ability to deliver when it matters most, Nitish Kumar Reddy struck twice in his very first over. His first scalp came when Ben Duckett attempted a flick down the leg side, only to be caught brilliantly by Rishabh Pant behind the stumps. Just a few deliveries later, Zak Crawley edged a sharp rising delivery—Pant again making no mistake.
In a matter of minutes, England’s solid start turned into a crisis. With two key wickets gone, Nitish not only broke the partnership but also injected India with renewed energy and belief.
The defining moment came in the 16th over when Nitish bowled to Joe Root. Attempting to step down the pitch to disrupt Nitish’s rhythm, Root was surprised by the extra bounce and beaten comprehensively. The Indian fielders erupted in cheers, and Gill walked over with a big smile.
The stump mic caught Gill saying warmly in Telugu, “Bagundi ra mawa”—which translates to “It’s good, man.”
The video of the exchange quickly went viral as fans loved the captain’s effort to connect in Nitish’s mother tongue.
Earlier, Nitish had come close to dismissing Ollie Pope for a duck, with a delivery that narrowly missed Gill’s hands in the slips. But he didn’t have to wait long for a second wicket as Crawley’s edge ensured a dream spell for the youngster.
With Nitish’s double strike, India took control of the opening session, proving Gill’s instincts as captain were spot on yet again.
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