BGT, Perth Test: Debutant Nitish Reddy reveals pep talks from Gautam Gambhir, says 'you are taking a bullet'

It was a dramatic opening day in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Friday (Nov 22) as bowlers headlined with 17 wickets in the Perth Test. Playing at the Optus Stadium, India were bowled out for 150 before Australia closed Day 1 at 67/7. One standout of the day was India’s Nitish Reddy whoscored 41, the highest individual scorer as helped the visitors reach triple figures. After the important knock, he revealed on the pep talks from head coach Gautam Gambhir as India looked to establish a first-innings lead.

Reddy reveals GG's pep talk

"Even I heard a lot about Perth and I still remember when we were having after the last practice session, I had a chat with Gautam Gambhir sir. He mentioned when you get any bouncers or something like those sharp spells, you just take them on to your shoulders and just feel like you are taking a bullet for your country," Nitish said.

After opting to bat the visitors were blown away in their innings, no match for the hosts' lethal pace attack with Josh Hazlewood taking 4-29. Impressive debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) and flamboyant Rishabh Pant (37) showed some spirit but once again superstar Virat Kohli flopped, out for five.

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Australia collapse on Day 1

Bumrah removed rookie opener Nathan McSweeney lbw for 10, another headache for a team struggling to find a decent replacement for the retired David Warner. Marnus Labuschagne had a massive let-off two balls later, with Kohli putting down a sitter in the slips, leaving Bumrah with his head in his hands. But India quickly snared another breakthrough with Kohli this time holding the catch off Bumrah to remove Usman Khawaja (8), and when Steve Smith was trapped lbw next ball, it was game on.