4th Test: Reddy's First Century and Sundar's Half-Century Propel India's Remarkable Comeback

Melbourne, Dec 28 (NationPress) Nitish Kumar Reddy proved to be the standout performer for India on the third day of the Boxing Day Test, delivering a remarkable first Test century that energized the crowd of 83,073 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Competing in only his fourth Test, Reddy showcased impressive strokeplay—both on the front and back foot—while exhibiting solid defense, temperament, and composure as he partnered with all-rounder Washington Sundar, who contributed a patient fifty as the ideal supporting player.

The pair joined forces when India found themselves at 221/7 during the first session, establishing a pivotal 127-run partnership for the eighth wicket. The pitch's gradual improvement aided their efforts as India concluded day three at 358/9 in 116 overs, trailing by 116 runs.

With his father Mutyala, along with other family members watching intently from the stands, Reddy celebrated his emotional century in 171 deliveries by executing a lofted on-drive off Scott Boland.

Upon reaching his century, Reddy knelt and raised his arm to the heavens, placing his helmet on the handle of his bat (a nod to the film Baahubali), savoring the moment of achieving his first Test century in front of his family, while his father wept and thanked God with folded hands at this iconic venue.

Reddy made history by becoming the first Indian batter to score a Test century in Australia while batting at number eight or lower. Just nine balls after his milestone, poor light and subsequent drizzle forced both teams off the field, with the right-handed batter holding his bat high and absorbing the adulation from teammates and fans at the MCG.

Resuming from 164/5, Rishabh Pant began collecting boundaries off Pat Cummins and Boland, surviving a caught behind appeal as replays indicated the ball had brushed his elbow, coupled with two near-run-out situations with Ravindra Jadeja.

However, in the 56th over, Pant's aggression surfaced—he attempted a scoop shot off Boland but was struck by the ball and fell. On the very next delivery, Pant again went for a scoop, resulting in a thick edge that was caught at third man for 28.

Reddy found his rhythm with drives and slices bringing him boundaries, while Lyon troubled Jadeja with loopy deliveries. In the 65th over, Lyon delivered a skiddy ball that hit Jadeja's back pad in front of off-stump, resulting in a plumb lbw.

Despite Jadeja's attempts to overturn the decision, ball-tracking confirmed the delivery would hit the stumps, sending him back for 17. Lyon maintained his off-stump line, but Reddy danced down the pitch to smash the off-spinner over his head for a stunning six, followed by a four off Travis Head.

Cummins bombarded Reddy with short balls, yet the impressive young all-rounder held his ground, while Sundar appeared less comfortable against the Australian captain, as the hosts secured the first session.

After lunch, Reddy and Sundar consistently rotated the strike against an old ball until Australia swiftly took the second new ball. Reddy, showcasing his punchy drives and an ability to keep the scoreboard ticking, reached his fifty by lofting a drive over cover point for four off Mitchell Starc, mimicking a popular scene from the Telugu film Pushpa during his half-century celebration.

Shortly thereafter, India surpassed 275, thereby avoiding the follow-on, prompting cheers from the spectators. The run-scoring became increasingly effortless with the second new ball and a flattening pitch, with Sundar even managing to score four while running against Starc.

Once India crossed 300, the first instance since the Chennai Test against Bangladesh, Reddy executed a picture-perfect straight drive down the ground off Starc for a boundary, then used his wrists beautifully to send a shot over extra cover for another four. Meanwhile, Sundar finally recorded his first boundary, smashing a short, wide ball from Starc through cover from the backfoot.

Reddy struck back-to-back boundaries off Mitchell Marsh, aided by a bit of luck—Starc's dive failed to prevent the ball, while Lyon slipped near the boundary, allowing his foot to touch the boundary cushion, before rain and fading light forced an early tea break.

The final session began late due to rain, but once play resumed, Reddy and Sundar maintained their composure against tight Australian bowling. Sundar reached his fourth half-century in 146 balls, while Reddy, who swept Lyon for four more, continued to frustrate the Australians.

Eventually, Lyon broke the stubborn stand by getting a ball to bounce and take the outside edge of Sundar's bat to first slip. After Nitish took two dramatic runs, Cummins captured his third wicket by having Jasprit Bumrah nick to first slip.

Following Mohammed Siraj's survival of three deliveries to allow Reddy one last chance to score, the all-rounder reached his maiden ton in the next over, resulting in emotional scenes for him and his family in the stands.

Reddy also became just the second Indian to achieve his maiden Test century at the MCG, following Vinoo Mankad in 1948. India will be optimistic that Reddy and Siraj can accumulate as many runs as possible on day four, after day three showcased a remarkable rearguard effort characterized by controlled, disciplined, and patient batting.

Brief scores: Australia 474 in 122.4 overs (Steve Smith 140; Jasprit Bumrah 4-99) lead India 358/9 in 116 overs (Nitish Kumar Reddy 105 not out, Yashasvi Jaiswal 82; Scott Boland 3-57, Pat Cummins 3-86) by 116 runs.