Reddy's Resilience: Debutant's Ton Revives India After Middle-Order Wobble, Still Trail by 116

A test of nerves: Reddy's heroics light up a rain-affected day at the 'G

Day 3 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was a rollercoaster of emotions for Indian fans, culminating in a defiant century from debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy that brought the visitors back from the brink. After a top-order collapse on Day 2, India's hopes of staying competitive in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy hung by a thread. But Reddy, with an innings that belied his experience, played the knock of his life, offering a beacon of hope on a rain-interrupted day. However, Australia still holds the upper hand, with India trailing by 116 runs with just one wicket remaining.

Day 2 Recap: Australia in Command After Smith's Ton and a Late Indian Collapse The previous day had ended disastrously for India. Steve Smith's masterful 140 had propelled Australia to a formidable 474 in their first innings. India's reply started promisingly with Yashasvi Jaiswal scoring a brisk 82. However, a catastrophic mix-up between Jaiswal and Virat Kohli led to a run-out, triggering a collapse. India lost three wickets for just four runs in the final hour, ending Day 2 at 164/5, still trailing by 310 runs. Captain Rohit Sharma (13), KL Rahul (33) also got out after getting starts.

India's Second Innings Scorecard (Batting) (Day 2):

Day 3: Early setbacks and Reddy's fightback

India's morning session on Day 3 didn't start well. Rishabh Pant, known for his aggressive batting, fell cheaply, trying to take on Scott Boland. Ravindra Jadeja, was dismissed by Nathan Lyon, leaving India reeling at 191/7. At this point, a massive Australian lead seemed inevitable. However, Nitish Kumar Reddy, making his Test debut, had other plans. He walked in at 191/6 and, along with Washington Sundar, launched a remarkable counterattack. They were involved in two run out mix-ups but were lucky to survive.

Reddy and Sundar: A partnership for the ages

Reddy, initially cautious, grew in confidence as his innings progressed. He displayed a wide array of strokes, driving, cutting, and pulling with authority. He was particularly severe on anything short or wide. Sundar, at the other end, played the perfect foil, rotating the strike and chipping in with valuable boundaries. Together, they stitched together a crucial partnership, defying the Australian bowlers and steadily chipping away at the deficit. Sundar scored his half century.

A maiden ton to remember: Reddy reaches three figures

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Reddy's maiden Test century. He reached the milestone with a boundary, a just reward for his grit, determination, and skillful batting. His unbeaten 105* off 176 balls was a testament to his temperament and talent. He has hit nine fours and two sixes in his knock so far.

India's Scorecard (Batting) (Day 3):

Australia's bowling: A day of toil

The Australian bowlers, after dominating the first two days, found themselves on the receiving end of Reddy's brilliance. While Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon picked up wickets, they were unable to break the partnership between Reddy and Sundar for a long time. Scott Boland was economical but lacked penetration on Day 3.

Australia's bowling figures (Day 3):

Rain and Bad light: A frustrating interruption

The final session of the day was marred by rain and bad light, forcing an early end to the proceedings. This interruption denied India the chance to further reduce the deficit and build on their momentum.

A glimmer of hope, but Australia still in control

Nitish Kumar Reddy's heroic century has given India a fighting chance in this Test match, but Australia remains in the driver's seat. The debutant's knock was a display of exceptional skill and composure under immense pressure. However, with just one wicket remaining and a deficit of 116 runs, India's task on Day 4 will be monumental. They will need a miracle to avoid defeat. The match hangs in the balance, but Reddy's innings has ensured that India will go down fighting. This Test, a classic example of the unpredictable nature of the game, has highlighted the importance of resilience, the emergence of new talent, and the potential for extraordinary individual performances to shift the momentum, even when facing a daunting challenge. The broader implication is that even in the face of adversity, the spirit of competition and individual brilliance can create compelling narratives in sports.