India’s young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy played a crucial role in his team’s fightback on the third day of the fourth Test against Australia in Melbourne. The 21-year-old, making his mark in only his fourth Test match, scored a composed unbeaten century, guiding India to a total of 358/9 by the end of the day, still trailing Australia’s first-innings score of 474 by 116 runs.
Reddy’s knock of 105 off 176 balls included a confident boundary off Scott Boland, bringing jubilation to Indian fans at the MCG. His vital 127-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Washington Sundar, who contributed 50, helped India recover from a precarious position at 221/7. The stand ensured that India avoided the follow-on and kept their chances alive for a comeback.
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In a tense moment during Reddy’s century pursuit, he had to wait for tailender Mohammed Siraj to block out deliveries from Pat Cummins to allow Reddy to reach three figures. The milestone was met with a standing ovation from the 83,073-strong crowd. Reddy’s innings drew praise from Sundar, who described his batting partner’s mental strength as “amazing.”
Despite Reddy’s heroics, India still faces a challenging task ahead. Australia’s bowlers, led by Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland, managed to dismiss key Indian players. As India looks to avoid falling behind 2-1 in the five-match series, Reddy’s continued resistance will be crucial as India attempts to make inroads into Australia’s commanding lead.
