The Lord's Miracle: Nitish Reddy's Historic Over Shocks England

There are moments in sports that just feel electric, moments that make you sit up and take notice. The first day of the third Test at Lord's delivered one of those moments, and the architect was a young pacer making a name for himself. All eyes were on the England Vs India 2025 series, but it was Nitish Kumar Reddy who stole the show with a sensational start to his Test career, leaving an indelible mark on the hallowed ground.

Key Highlights

• ✓ In the Lord's Test against England, Nitish Kumar Reddy took two wickets in his very first over in Test cricket.
• ✓ He dismissed openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, with both catches taken by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
• ✓ Reddy became only the second Indian pacer since 2002 to achieve this feat, replicating a rare record set by Irfan Pathan in 2006.
• ✓ He credits his improvement to mentorship from his IPL captain Pat Cummins and Indian bowling coach Morne Morkel.
• ✓ Indian legend Anil Kumble praised Reddy's performance, highlighting his disciplined bowling and importance as an emerging all-rounder for the team.

An Over for the History Books

Picture this: India is in the field, and captain Shubman Gill decides to bring a new bowler into the attack in the 14th over. The bowler is Nitish Kumar Reddy, and what happens next is pure cricketing magic. On just the third ball of his very first over in Test cricket, he produced a delivery that spelled the end for English opener Ben Duckett. The ball, pitched up, moved away off the seam, tempting Duckett into a drive. He could only manage a faint edge, and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant did the rest, taking a sharp catch to give India its first breakthrough.

You'd think getting a wicket in your first over is a dream come true, right? Well, Reddy wasn't done. Just three balls later, on the final delivery of the same over, he sent the other opener, Zak Crawley, packing. Crawley, who was looking in decent touch with 18 runs, was completely deceived by a brilliant delivery that had extra bounce and a perfect seam position. The ball took the edge of his bat, and once again, Rishabh Pant was there to complete the dismissal with another clean catch. In the span of a few deliveries, England was two wickets down, and a young Indian pacer had announced his arrival in style.

This wasn't just a great over; it was a historic one. By taking two wickets, Reddy etched his name into a very exclusive list. He became only the second Indian fast bowler to take two wickets in his debut Test over since 2002. It's a feat that puts him in some very special company and demonstrated a level of poise and skill that belied his experience. The pressure of a Lord's debut seemed to fuel him rather than intimidate him, and it gave India the perfect, dominant start they were hoping for.

💡 What's Interesting: The last time an Indian pacer achieved something this rare was 18 years ago, in 2006. It was the legendary Irfan Pathan who created history by taking a hat-trick in the first over of a Test match against Pakistan in Karachi. Reddy's performance at Lord's immediately brought back memories of that incredible moment.

The Hard Work Behind the Magic

A performance like this doesn't just happen overnight. It's the result of introspection, hard work, and some world-class mentorship. Reddy himself revealed that the turning point came after the tour of Australia. While he impressed with the bat on that tour, even scoring a century at the MCG, he felt his bowling wasn't utilized enough and needed significant improvement. This realization was the catalyst for change.

He sought advice from two of the best in the business: his IPL captain, Australian pacer Pat Cummins, and the Indian team's bowling coach, Morne Morkel. Reddy shared that Cummins gave him crucial insights on how he should have bowled in Australian conditions, an experience he described as incredibly valuable. Morkel, on the other hand, has been working closely with him for weeks, focusing relentlessly on improving his consistency. As Reddy put it, "we have been constantly working on my consistency... I just want to be consistent in those areas."

This journey wasn't without its hurdles. Reddy mentioned he was recovering from a side strain and had only bowled a handful of overs—just five, to be exact—during the IPL season. Getting back into rhythm was a challenge, but his dedication paid off. He said, "At the end of the day, it's about understanding things and believing in yourself. When you believe in yourself, your hard work pays off, and I am understanding that now." His ability to generate more swing than other bowlers on the day, and even a higher average seam movement than Jasprit Bumrah, is a testament to that hard work.

The Legend's Seal of Approval

When a legend of the game speaks, everyone listens. And after witnessing Reddy's spell, former Indian captain and spin wizard Anil Kumble was full of praise. Speaking on Jio's Hottestar, Kumble admitted he was "pleasantly surprised" by Reddy's bowling. He was particularly impressed with his discipline and control, noting that he consistently hit the right spots. While he cheekily called the Duckett dismissal a "gift," he described the ball that got Zak Crawley out as simply "brilliant."

But Kumble's praise went beyond just one over. He highlighted Reddy's strategic importance to the Indian team. He explained that India needs players exactly like Reddy—all-rounders who can bowl a few tight overs, break crucial partnerships, and give the main fast bowlers some much-needed rest. This ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game is what makes a player truly valuable in the long format.

Kumble also pointed out Reddy's impressive fitness and stamina. The fact that he bowled 14 overs in a single spell on the first day, the same number as frontline pacer Mohammed Siraj, speaks volumes about his physical conditioning and control. "He is young, a good batsman, and an agile fielder," Kumble observed. His final piece of advice was for the team management: give Reddy a consistent run of opportunities and avoid making frequent changes. This kind of backing from a great of the game is perhaps the biggest endorsement a young player can receive.

Conclusion

The first day at Lord's was a story of incredible talent meeting opportunity. Nitish Kumar Reddy didn't just take two wickets; he created a piece of history, providing a start that shifted the momentum firmly in India's favor. His performance was a beautiful blend of raw skill, hard-earned consistency forged under the guidance of mentors like Cummins and Morkel, and the kind of mental fortitude that defines great players. With the resounding approval of a legend like Anil Kumble, it's clear that this is more than just a flash in the pan. It's the arrival of a promising all-rounder who could be a vital asset for Indian cricket for years to come.