AUS vs IND 4th Test Hghlights | Nitish Kumar Reddy Century Sparks India’s Resurgence on Day 3

A Star Emerges as Nitish Kumar Reddy Anchors India's Revival

Day 3 of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) witnessed a stirring comeback from the visitors, thanks largely to a scintillating maiden century by Nitish Kumar Reddy. India, reeling at 191/6 during the morning session, ended the day at 358/9, trailing by just 116 runs after a stellar effort from their lower order, spearheaded by the young Reddy.

The day was filled with moments of brilliance, drama, and determination as Reddy, alongside Washington Sundar, stood tall against a relentless Australian attack to keep India alive in the match.

Morning Session: India Teeters Under Pressure

Resuming on 164/5, India faced immediate trouble as Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja fell early to the disciplined bowling of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon. Pant, who had started with intent, fell to an ill-advised shot against Scott Boland, attempting a scoop that resulted in a simple catch to third man. Jadeja, meanwhile, was trapped lbw by Lyon, who bowled with guile and precision to stymie the left-hander.

At 191/6, India appeared to be heading for a collapse, still 83 runs away from avoiding the follow-on. Enter Nitish Kumar Reddy, a 21-year-old making only his third Test appearance, tasked with salvaging the innings alongside Washington Sundar.

Middle Session: Reddy and Sundar Lead the Resistance

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar began the repair job with a mixture of patience and controlled aggression. The duo countered the Australian bowlers effectively, respecting the good deliveries while capitalizing on anything loose. Reddy’s poise and ability to adapt to the situation stood out as he showcased his class against both pace and spin.

Sundar, playing the role of a perfect ally, absorbed the pressure from one end, allowing Reddy to build his innings. Together, they brought up a crucial 127-run partnership for the eighth wicket, taking India past the follow-on mark and frustrating the Australian bowlers.

Reddy’s Maiden Century: A Moment of Glory

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s maiden Test century was the highlight of the day. Displaying remarkable temperament and shot selection, Reddy brought up his century with a confident lofted boundary off Scott Boland, sending the Indian camp and the crowd into jubilation. At just 21 years and 216 days, he became one of the youngest Indian batsmen to score a century in Australia, joining an elite list that includes Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant.

Reddy’s knock was a blend of elegance and resilience, featuring 10 boundaries and a six. His ability to negate Australia’s short-ball ploy and rotate the strike against spinners demonstrated maturity beyond his years.

Evening Session: Australia Fights Back, But Reddy Stands Firm

After Sundar’s dismissal for 50, caught by Steven Smith off Lyon, Reddy continued to hold fort with the tail. Jasprit Bumrah fell cheaply, and Mohammed Siraj survived some nervy moments as bad light and rain interruptions disrupted the session. Despite these challenges, Reddy ensured India edged closer to Australia’s total, ending the day unbeaten on 105.

Bowling Highlights: Australia’s Discipline Tested

Australia’s bowlers toiled hard but struggled to break through the Reddy-Sundar partnership. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland were the pick of the bowlers, finishing with three wickets each. Lyon, though less effective than usual, managed to pick up two vital scalps. Mitchell Starc bowled with pace but remained wicketless, unable to find the reverse swing that has often troubled India in the past.

The Significance of Reddy’s Knock

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s century is not just a personal milestone but also a significant moment for Indian cricket. Coming in at No. 8 and delivering such a performance under immense pressure highlights his potential as a future star. His innings, coupled with Sundar’s resilience, underscores the depth and character of India’s lower order, a factor that has often bailed the team out in challenging situations.

Looking Ahead: India’s Strategy on Day 4

India trails by 116 runs with just one wicket in hand. Reddy’s focus on Day 4 will be to add as many runs as possible with Mohammed Siraj, narrowing the deficit and potentially putting Australia under pressure in their second innings. For Australia, an early wicket will be crucial to assert their dominance and set a challenging target for India in the final innings.

Day 3 Highlights: Stats and Records

• Nitish Kumar Reddy became the third-youngest Indian to score a Test century in Australia.
• Reddy and Sundar’s 127-run partnership is the second-highest for the eighth wicket or lower for India in Australia, behind only Tendulkar and Harbhajan’s 129-run stand in Sydney, 2008.
• Washington Sundar scored his second Test fifty, providing vital support to Reddy.

A Test Match Hanging in Balance

As the sun set on Day 3 at the MCG, the fourth Test remains delicately poised. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s remarkable innings has not only kept India in the contest but also given them a platform to push for an unlikely comeback. With two days to go, the stage is set for an enthralling battle as both teams look to seize the initiative.

India’s fightback, led by Reddy, has already made this Boxing Day Test a memorable affair. Whether they can build on this momentum and challenge Australia remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Nitish Kumar Reddy has arrived on the international stage, and Indian cricket fans have plenty to look forward to.

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