India’s rising star, Nitish Kumar Reddy, delivered a remarkable performance on day three of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The 21-year-old all-rounder, playing in only his fourth Test, scored a brilliant unbeaten century, helping India recover from a precarious position.
Reddy reached his milestone with a confident boundary off Scott Boland, sending the 83,000-strong crowd into celebration. His composed knock of 105 not out from 176 balls was a key contribution as India finished the day at 358/9, still trailing Australia’s first-innings total of 474 by 116 runs.
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In a crucial eighth-wicket partnership, Reddy and Washington Sundar added 127 runs, helping India avoid the follow-on after being 221/7 at one stage. Sundar, who scored 50, praised Reddy’s temperament, noting, “His mentality is very, very strong. The way he went about his innings was amazing.”
Reddy had to endure some tense moments on 99, with tailender Mohammed Siraj blocking out deliveries from Pat Cummins to allow him to reach his century. The crowd erupted in a standing ovation as Reddy raised his bat in celebration.
Australia’s bowlers found it tough to break India’s resistance on a flat pitch. Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland were the standout performers, with Lyon taking key wickets, including Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, and Boland chipping in with three wickets earlier in the innings.
With one wicket remaining, India will look to reduce Australia’s lead further when play resumes on day four, but Reddy’s heroics have kept their hopes alive in this crucial Test.
