A maiden Test century from Nitish Kumar Reddy, along with a crucial half-century by Washington Sundar, has breathed new life into the Boxing Day Test as India mounted a spirited fightback against Australia on the third day of an enthralling contest in Melbourne.
Reddy’s unbeaten knock of 102* was the highlight of the day, as poor light and rain at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) forced an early stumps with India at 358/9, trailing Australia’s first-innings total of 474 by 116 runs. Reddy displayed exceptional composure throughout his innings, particularly after Sundar’s dismissal for 54 and the loss of Jasprit Bumrah for a duck. Mohammed Siraj (2*) joined Reddy at the crease, and despite some tense moments against Australian captain Pat Cummins (3/86), Reddy reached his century with a boundary in the following over.
Reddy’s gritty innings offers India a glimmer of hope with two days remaining in this crucial ICC World Test Championship contest. The match remains finely poised, with all results still on the table as both teams vie for a spot in next year’s Final at Lord’s.
The partnership between Reddy and Sundar, worth 127 runs, was instrumental in steadying India’s innings. Australia’s bowlers toiled hard on a cooler Melbourne day but found little success after the morning session, which saw Rishabh Pant (28) and Ravindra Jadeja (17) dismissed. The afternoon belonged entirely to Reddy, whose resolve and skill kept India in the game.
This Test has high stakes beyond the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the series tied at 1-1. Both teams are in contention for spots in the World Test Championship Final scheduled for June 2025 at Lord’s. Australia currently sits second in the standings with 58.89% of possible points, while India is close behind in third with 55.88%. Table-toppers South Africa (63.33%) are currently playing Pakistan in Centurion.
As the match heads into its final two days, Reddy’s innings stands out as a pivotal moment for India. His maiden century not only showcased his potential but also kept India’s hopes alive in this gripping Test match.
