War-torn Ukraine to MCG: Tejaswi Reddy's story is one of resilience

MELBOURNE: When Russia invaded Ukraine back in 2022, the escalated tensions in the region resulted in a lot of Indian students getting stranded. Thousands were pursuing higher studies in-and-around the region and India cricketer

Nitish Kumar Reddy

's sister Tejaswi was one of them. Studying medicine, Nitish's elder sister managed to get back to India safely after a rescue operation and transferred herself to a university in Uzbekistan.
As the family continued their cricket craze, Tejaswi kept her focus locked on higher studies and always looked to her younger brother for inspiration. They have a lot of memories from home and now, when they take next steps in their respective professional careers, the two are enjoying each other's success. Tejaswi was at the

Melbourne Cricket Ground

(MCG) on Saturday when her brother scored his maiden international hundred, and became the toast of the nation. Emotions ran high in the stand which was swarmed by the members of the Bharat Army but the cameras were locked on Nitish's father, who had his hands folded, in the first row. And he wasn't the only one praying for that one run.
"Me and my mom were also praying near the box. We stood near the box and kept praying. It was a tense moment for us and we were confused whether to sit or stand. We were very tense and anxious and finally when (Mohammed) Siraj bhai gave a strike to him it happened. We are very thankful to Washington Sundar bhai as well as Siraj bhai," said Tejaswi in a candid chat with TimesofIndia.com.

Reddy has been one of India's most consistent batters in the ongoing

Border-Gavaskar Trophy

and while he was getting 40s in the fixtures before, the big one was saved for the biggest stage of them all. The moment became sweeter as his entire family, including mother and father who flew out of the country for the first time, were in the stands to celebrate the milestone. Both mother and father were initially hesitant to fly out due to the language barrier but Nitish convinced them to take the flight and watch the Boxing Day Test from the stands.

"My parents initially hesitated to come here because of the language barrier, and they have never been outside the country. So it's their first international (trip). But we told them that these moments don't come back again and again. My brother said, 'Just come. Just come and watch.' My uncle is here in Australia, he lives in Australia and is helping us out. We all are staying together and enjoying family time," added Tejaswi.
They couldn't have timed the trip better and the Reddy's have been busy answering phone calls and responding to messages. They surprised Nitish with a visit to the team hotel later on Saturday and the parents didn't sleep a wink last night and were keenly looking forward to the fourth day as well. While Nitish didn't last long in the morning session, the very soft spoken and humble Reddy's were soaking in the attention which came their way.

The moment of the day arrived during the lunch interval when they all met Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar in the broadcast room of the MCG. In a very touching video, Nitish's father, Mutyala, goes down and touches the Indian legend's feet. The mother and sister followed before they had a small chat with Gavaskar.
"These are all the happy moments, right? All the struggles... My father, whenever he sees my brother on the ground, he just remembers all those days when he struggled, and now all the struggles are gone. So all this comes into his mind, and all those are happy tears. These blessings are because of all these legends, they are the inspiration to the younger ones, right? My father, when he was young, they were the legends of the game and an inspiration for my father too," said Tejaswi on the emotional meeting with Gavaskar.

It's been close to 24 hours since Nitish went down on one knee and planted the bat to celebrate his maiden Test hundred. The phone hasn't stopped ringing and exhaustion is very evident on everyone's faces.
"My parents were not sleeping last night. They were happy, and they didn't sleep at all. Everyone is calling. It's busy. My phone is going out of notifications all the time. And obviously we had jet lag. We could not sleep, and last night, it was next level. No sleep at all," she said with a chuckle.
When this conversation was underway, Nitish's father started cheering from his chair as Jasprit Bumrah picked the wicket of Travis Head. "Bumrah bhai," he said before adding, "Nitish... the catch".
Both father and mother had a big smile on their face and they would hope, and pray, it stays on till the end of the series. The family will be flying to Sydney next but Nitish's mother has already sorted the homecoming plan.
Mutton Gongura will be ready and served hot when her little boy returns home after a memorable summer Down Under.