Nitish Kumar Reddy’s sensational knock put India out of danger after the conclusion of Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. In response to Australia’s 474-run total, the visitors are at 358/9, with Reddy (105*) and Mohammed Siraj (2*) at the crease.
The Indian team started off Day 3 at 164/5, with Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant at the crease. Although, they tried to steer the team well, there was a lack of communication between the batters, with a couple of instances of run-out chances.
In the 56th over, Pant tried to unleash an ambitious shot towards the leg side, but copped a body blow from Scott Boland. He opted the same approach in the following ball to play a big shot towards the fine leg and his leading edge was caught at the third-man region. The southpaw was dismissed for 28 off 37.
Then, a few overs later, Jadeja (17) was trapped LBW by Nathan Lyon, as the all-rounder stayed on the back foot against a half-tracker. The hosts eventually won the first session, with India struggling at 244/7.
Nothing much was expected from the pair of Reddy and Washington Sundar, but they exceeded all expectations in the second session. Sundar was cautious to set his eyes on the pitch, while Reddy was defiant to score runs at a brisk pace, as the pair went past the follow-on mark.
Soon, the spin all-rounder found his groove and accumulated odd boundaries, while Reddy continued his pro-active approach, as runs were coming at a fine pace for the visitors.
At tea, India were 326/7 and were looking strong to continue their momentum and help India remain in the hunt in the game.
Reddy scores his maiden ton; Sundar’s wicket hurts India
In the first hour of the third session, the established pair of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar opted a defensive approach. Sundar was solid with his defense and forward strides, while Reddy particularly impressed with a sweep shot that went for a boundary during this phase.
As things were smoothly sailing, out of nowhere, veteran spinner, Nathan Lyon secured a crucial breakthrough of Sundar, by inducing the edge of the southpaw and getting him caught at the slip to Steve Smith. Sundar played a well-compiled knock of 50 off 162 balls, which tired the hosts’ bowling attack.
Then, there were moments of tension when Pat Cummins made Jasprit Bumrah (0) caught at the slips, as Reddy was nearing his hundred. Nevertheless, Mohammed Siraj survived the last three balls of the over.
Reddy punched a lofted shot towards the long-on region to secure a boundary and got to his maiden ton. He became the first batter to score a century at No. 8 on Australian soil.
Before the bad light ended Day 3’s play, India were at 358/9, with Reddy (105) and Mohammed Siraj (2) remaining unbeaten. It will be interesting to see if the pair can add more runs to put Australia under pressure on Day 4.
