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The third day of the IND vs AUS, Boxing Day Test match between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) went remarkably well for India. This was spearheaded by debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy. His brilliant century brought India back from a daunting start, thus keeping the team in the contest although they were behind the Australians’ total of 474 runs.
Nitish Reddy’s Maiden Test Century on Day 4, IND vs AUS
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Nitish Kumar Reddy etched his name in history on Day 3 by scoring his first-ever Test century in international cricket. Playing at number eight, Reddy played a knock of 105* runs from 173 balls, displaying great composure and skill. The innings included 10 fours and one six, which marked a milestone not only in his career but also for Indian cricket.
Reddy became the first Indian batsman to score a century in Australia while batting at number eight. His century was very important for India, as it made sure the team did not have to face the follow-on. At stumps on Day 3, India were 358/9, still 116 runs behind Australia’s first-innings total of 474. Reddy, who was unbeaten on 105, was complemented by Mohammad Siraj, who was at the crease with 2* runs.
Key Partnership with Washington Sundar
Reddy’s century was more meaningful because he shared it with another Indian cricketer, Washington Sundar. Sundar added a useful half-century to the eighth-wicket partnership that helped India get out of a precarious position. This partnership made sure that India’s first innings crossed 350 and stayed in the game even when the situation was getting worse for them early in the day.
Sundar’s knock of 50 runs, coupled with the brilliance of Reddy, was a testament to the resilience of the duo in the face of a potent Australian bowling attack. Together, they formed a century partnership that was a turning point for India in their fightback.
Rain Interrupts Play
As Reddy brought up his century, heavy rain interrupted play which led to an early culmination of Day 3. The umpires decided to call off the play when conditions worsened, preventing further action. At the close of the third day’s play, India was still behind Australia by 116 runs with one wicket remaining. Though India had traveled a long way in their innings, the rain left both teams waiting for the resumption of the next day’s play.
India’s Issues with the Batting Line-up
While Reddy was the hero of the match, it was evident that the Indian team had issues with the batting line-up.
Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir’s decision to drop Shubman Gill and play two spinners in the match seemed to have backfired as Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were not as effective with the ball as expected. But especially for Jadeja, the day ended at 78/3 and Sundar was equally abysmal with the bowl, taking 15/1. It was natural for everybody to question the selection India made for the fourth Test.
Mohammad Siraj’s Tough Day and Steve Smith’s Brilliance
On the bowling front, Mohammad Siraj had a tough time as he was up against some brilliant Australian batting, especially from Steve Smith. Smith’s hook shot against Siraj was particularly stunning, leaving the Indian pacer visibly stunned. Still, Siraj did not engage in any sledge with Smith, who had regained his form after an initial struggle.
While Siraj may have been under pressure, the Australian supporters continued to cheer loudly for their team. Notably, they were seen hooting at both Siraj and Indian captain Virat Kohli, creating an intense atmosphere around the ground. This added to the high-stakes drama of the match, as both teams faced the pressure of a closely contested encounter.
Looking Ahead to IND vs AUS, Day 4
With Day 3 being cut short due to rain, attention now turns to Day 4, where India would look to complete their first innings strongly and reduce the deficit. Reddy’s century has given India a fighting chance, and if India’s tail can add crucial runs, they may close the gap with Australia’s first-innings total. However, the Australian bowlers will be looking to finish off the Indian innings quickly and consolidate their 116-run lead.
It was on Day 3 that the game took a historic turn with Nitish Kumar Reddy scoring his maiden century. This, combined with a solid contribution from Washington Sundar, has given India a glimmer of hope as they attempt to chase down Australia’s total. However, matters have been complicated by the weather, and both teams will hope for clear skies as they return to the field on Day 4.
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