New Delhi: Young all-rounder Nitish Reddy announced his arrival in Australia in style with a magnificent maiden international century for India in their first innings on Day 3 of the ongoing 4th Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne. Reddy slammed an unbeaten 105 to help India fight back under pressure and post 358/9 at stumps on Day 3, trailing the hosts by 116 runs.
Reddy walked out to bat at number 8 with India in a spot of bother at 191/6 having lost the wicket of a set Rishabh Pant. The all-rounder joined hands with Ravindra Jadeja to add 30 runs for the 7th wicket before combining with Washington Sundar to share a record 127-run partnership for the 8th wicket.
Reddy notched up his maiden Test ton while Sundar slammed a gritty half-century as the duo not only helped India avoid follow-on comfortably but also powered the visitor past the 350-run mark to help them significantly reduce Australia’s first-innings lead. It was a match-saving partnership from the duo, who put India in a much better position in the 4th Test with the series on the line.
Major talking points from Day 3 of MCG Test:
1) Pant, Jadeja fail to deliver
Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja failed to deliver for India on Day 3 as both fell cheaply after resuming India’s first innings from 164/5. Pant looked settled out in the middle after surviving a few close chances in a jittery spell but ended up playing a reckless shot to throw his wicket away when the team needed him to stay in the middle and build a partnership with Jadeja.
Pant was dismissed cheaply on 28 after getting caught by Nathan Lyon while trying to play man unnecessary scoop shot off pacer Scot Boland. Jadeja too couldn’t hold on for long after Pant’s departure and was sent packing after scoring only 17 runs. The duo’s dismissal left India reeling at 221/7 before Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy staged a fightback.
2) Reddy, Sundar put on match-saving stand
Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar combined to help India fight back with a match-saving partnership at the MCG. The duo added 127 runs for the 8th wicket, a record 8th wicket partnership for India in Australia to help the visitors avoid the follow-on and close in on the hosts’ first-innings total of 474 runs. Reddy slammed a brilliant ton while Sundar notched up a fighting fifty.
Reddy was arguably the stand-out performer with the bat for India on Day 3 as he arrived at number 8 with the team under massive pressure and lifted them past the 350-run mark. Reddy showcased incredible composure and played his shots across all parts of the ground to complete his maiden Test ton off 171 balls. Sundar played perfect support with a gritty 50 off 162 deliveries.
Nitish Kumar Reddy hits his maiden Test century and receives a standing ovation from the MCG crowd ❤️ #AUSvIND | #PlayOfTheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/Vbqq5C26gz
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2024
3) Reddy conquers MCG
Nitish Reddy conquered the MCG with his stellar knock on Day 3 of the 4th Test. The 21-year-old made his debut in the ongoing series and had already displayed glimpses of his talent and class in the first three Tests. However, there were question marks over his selection in the playing XI for the 4th Test considering the team combination.
Reddy shut down any doubts over his ability and his importance in the current Indian Test side with his magnificent unbeaten 105 at the MCG on Saturday. His knock was laced with 10 fours and a six as he turned out to be India’s saviour and lifted them from trouble to gain control of the Test match. Reddy will be hoping to give India a strong finish when he resumes the visitors’ first innings with Mohammed Siraj on Day 4.
Nitish Reddy’s maiden international ton and a gritty half-century from Washington Sundar helped India fight back on Day 3 of the 4th Test against Australia at the MCG on Sunday. India finished with 358/9 in their first innings at stumps on Day 3. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
