Reddy’s Defiant Maiden Ton claws India back in 4th Australia Test

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Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a defiant maiden century on Saturday as India battled back to reach 358-9 on a rain-hit third day of the fourth Test against Australia.

Rising all-rounder Reddy was waved off the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 105 not out after rain ended play for the day midway through the final session.

Having provided much-needed stability to another shaky Indian batting effort, the 21-year-old will resume on Sunday alongside Mohammed Siraj, on two, with the first-innings deficit reduced to 116 runs.

Australia’s push for a much bigger advantage after scoring 474 was thwarted by Reddy and spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar, who scored 50 as the pair put on 127 for the eighth wicket.

To the roar of a large contingent of Indian supporters among a record third-day crowd of 83,073 at the MCG, Reddy lifted Scott Boland over mid-on to reach three figures just before play was stopped.

It was an innings memorable for resolute defence, mixed with classic strokeplay.

Reddy faced 176 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six, continuing the fine batting form at number eight in the order that has marked his debut series.

In his first six Test innings, he has scored 284 runs – the most in the series by any Indian player – at an average of 71.

Sundar described Reddy’s innings as “unbelievable” and said he always knew a century was well within his teammate’s capabilities.

“Mentally, he’s very, very strong,” Sundar said.

“I’ve known him for quite a few years. The way he ran his business today was fantastic. He gives one hundred percent, that’s his approach to life.

“I’m sure this hundred will be talked about and remembered for a very, very long time.”

Seamers Boland, who took 3-57, and Pat Cummins with 3-86 were the most prolific Australian bowlers in conditions that offered little assistance despite overcast skies.

Boland said Reddy was a “good player” whose range of shots proved difficult to contain.

“It seems like he has pretty much every option in the book,” Boland said.

“Obviously, he’s playing really well. When he gets down in the lower order, he tries to put the pressure back on us.”

Boland believed Australia were still well placed to push for victory, with the pitch still containing a “bit of nip” for the seamers.

He said teammate Mitchell Starc was bowling with a “niggle in his back or ribs” but expected the paceman to continue to play a full role in the Test.

“He’s someone who can still bowl at the same pace even when he’s really sore, which is a great quality to have.”

The recalled Sundar’s stubborn knock off 162 balls ended when he was caught at first slip by Steve Smith off off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

It ended a partnership that spanned the entire second session after India had advanced from 164-5 overnight to 244-7 at lunch.

Sundar survived the most freakish moment of the day when on the 18th.

Trying to flick a leg-side delivery from Starc, the ball flew off the back of the bat into the slip cordon, where a diving Smith wasted a one-handed opportunity.

India lost Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in the opening session.

Pant’s innings of 28 ended when he overbalanced while attempting a ramp for six off Boland, sending the ball over to third man, with Lyon holding the catch.

Trapped lbw on 17, Jadeja played back to a delivery from Lyon that progressed.

The crowd of 83,073 was a record for the third day of a Boxing Day Test, according to Cricket Australia, and the largest day three crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1937.

The total attendance record for a Boxing Day Test is 271,865, which looks set to be smashed on Sunday after 255,462 came through the gates on the first three days.

Rain threatened throughout the day and around 40 minutes of play was lost for a period on either side of the tee.

The series is locked at 1-1 with the fifth and final Test to be played in Sydney next week.

dgi/mtp