‘The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature.’ -Antoine François Prévost, From the novel Manon Lescaut
Legends aren’t made in a day; it takes years of years dedication and constant efforts. A new saga is born in the history of cricket. We are talking about emerging new champion Nitesh Kumar Reddy. The fame he got for scoring the maiden century during the test match at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is highly commendable. This century is important because for a youngster like him, it denotes patience, strategy and stillness he achieved through years of practice and consistency. Have you ever witnessed the rings on a tree as it ages? Each ring defines a year, depth, strength; represents the willingness to grow and survive. And that is how it remains tall and standing, even in the extreme storms. The past also becomes a learning book for the present and future; and that’s how the all-rounders are made! Every ball he bowled, every wicket he took, every strike he hit from his bat added to the ring we are talking about. That’s how we got an all-rounder. He stands tall before us while we, the Corporate Soldiers, along with all sing the saga about him. But the ink that wrote his history is still wet, which means the story is just a beginning. There are many milestones waiting for him.
The Inspiration & The Journey:
Behind every legend is an inspiring figure who inspires them and makes them what they are. It’s like shaping an artefact from wet clay, moulding it and polishing them. For our beloved Nitish, it is none other than his father, Mutyala Reddy. From Hindustan Zinc’s (where his Nitish’s father worked) grounds to MCG, the journey was never easy, but as the curious kid watched the senior players, he incorporated their skills to polish and refine his game. The hunger and to achieve the perfect game was always present in young Nitish.
Cricket is the most loved and cherished sport in India. Nearly all of us, at some point in time, have played gully cricket with those flimsy plastic bats. Likewise, Nitish, as a small child, at the tender age of 5, did the same.
Beyond The Simple Zeal to Support His Son:
Without recognition and polishing natural talent, raw talent would be meaningless. And it will never reach the finesse it deserves. Mutyala Reddy realized his child’s natural aptitude and encouraged him to pursue the game. Like every father to his son, he made sacrifices for his son. But his support goes beyond just simple sacrifices and efforts. In fact, during 2012, (when Nitish, born in 2003, was only 9 years old) when Hindustan Zinc offered him a transfer to Udaipur, this zealous father chose to resign from the job instead. Undoubtedly, this life-changing decision is crucial for everyone. Not everyone goes to this extent to support their child’s passion for something. And Nitish himself remains indebted to his father and recognizes his sacrifices and his contributions in his life. Mutyala Reddy’s decision behind this life-altering moment was clear; he won’t move to a city with limited opportunities in cricket.
The Silent Mountain Goat:
Have you ever seen those relentless mountain goats who never are bothered by any danger or risk of reaching their goal? And ultimately they reach their goal, top of the mountain. People will say what they are going to say. When Mutyala Reddy left his job to support his child’s dream, people, of course, pointed it out. Despite facing the criticism and comments about leaving a steady and secure job, Mutyala never regretted his decision and instead believed in his son. He became that silent mountain goat that quietly remains persistent towards its goal. After quitting his well-paying and secure job, he became a full-time coach and guide to his son. From driving him to practice sessions to arranging matches with tougher opponents, Nitish’s father made sure that he brings out the best in his son, whether it is the hard work or the spirit of the game.
The Hardships:
The road to success and victory isn’t a straight path is something we hear all the time. Mutyala encountered many obstacles and problems along the way. From a secure job to chasing dreams for his son, he had to start a new venture so he could support his family and still could achieve his son’s goal. But this venture didn’t succeed as per his expectations and his family endured many hardships due to it. The mountain goat Mutyala never saw this as a hindrance and supported his son with all his might, whether it was an injury during the play or following diet regimes. When you receive such unconditional love and support, you tend to flourish. Nitesh did flourish and made sure that his father’s support did not go to waste.
The Guidance & Breakthrough:
A direction is important for all when pursuing something. Mutyala, as a guiding light, showed the path for Nitish. The path opened when he introduced Nitesh to MSK Prasad, an ex-selector and former Indian wicketkeeper. And that’s when his journey began at the age of 12. Mr. Prasad not only recognized this young talent but also introduced him further. Andhra Cricket Management with an investment of Rs.15000 monthly, made promise to look after his educational and other sport-related needs. And likewise, Nitesh performed outstandingly well at the Vijay Merchant Trophy during 2017-2018. He scored 441 runs against Nagaland and marked his presence in the youth cricket.
The Mark:
Breakthroughs significantly change anything and move destinies. Following his success at the Vijay Merchant Trophy, Nitesh never looked back. Each milestone leads to another. However, it never is easy. While Nitesh was carrying the success on his shoulders, Mutlaya quietly walked alongside his son, feeling pride, however, still focused on the next step. The next step was Nitesh’s selection for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, team Sunrisers Hyderabad. While all cricket fans and sport enthusiasts are cheering his recent success at the MCG, Australia, 2024, (a test century batting at number 8), he remembered all the sacrifices and commitments his father has made since childhood.
Conclusion:
There are many unsung heroes behind many success stories like this. Thanks to Nitish’s gratitude towards his father, we all recognize this unsung hero and his efforts for his son. This is a reminder for all of them who are carving their path into their dreams. Mutyala showed us that if you nurture and believe in your child’s dreams, they can go a long way. It shows us how families go to a certain extent to support their children. Corporate Soldiers salutes the dedication of each parent and wish them a great success in 2025. Have a happy new year!
