India vs Australia 4th Test Day 3 Highlights

The third day of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) witnessed a remarkable performance by 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored his maiden Test century. Batting at No. 8, Reddy's innings proved crucial as he guided India to a total of 358 for 9 at stumps, trailing Australia by 116 runs.

Reddy's Standout Performance

Nitish Kumar Reddy showcased exceptional grit and presence of mind during his innings. Coming in with India struggling at 221 for 7, Reddy stabilized the innings with a composed knock, scoring 105 not out from 171 balls, including 10 fours and 1 six. He formed a pivotal 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar, who contributed a solid 50. This partnership almost broke the record for the highest eighth-wicket stand for India in Australia, falling just short of Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh's record of 129 runs set back in 2008.

Reddy's century was marked by a beautiful on-drive that sent the ball racing to the boundary, followed by a heartfelt celebration where he knelt down in gratitude, with his father watching proudly from the stands.

Match Progression

At the beginning of the day, India resumed their innings at 164 for 5 but quickly fell to 244 for 7 by lunch, losing key wickets in Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. Following this, Reddy and Sundar counter-attacked effectively, adding 82 runs without a loss during the post-lunch session.

The day ended with a brief rain interruption, leading to a slight delay, but the fans at the MCG were treated to exciting cricket as they saw India recover and set a more competitive total against Australia's formidable first-innings total of 474.

Anticipation for Day 4

Looking ahead, Day 4 of the Test promises to be pivotal for India. With the weather forecast indicating a pleasant day with minimal chances of rain, players and fans alike can look forward to uninterrupted play. Reddy's performance has ignited hope for a strong Indian response as they seek to recover the deficit in runs.

Weather Conditions

The weather forecast for Day 4 indicates mild temperatures around 23°C in the morning, rising slightly to 25°C in the afternoon, along with manageable winds conducive for bowlers. Fans are optimistic about witnessing a classic day's play under favorable conditions at the MCG.

Looking Back: Rohit Sharma's Challenge

As India aims to consolidate their innings, there's ongoing speculation regarding the future of captain Rohit Sharma, particularly after his recent performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Having struggled in the Test arena, discussions regarding his potential retirement have emerged amidst a challenging series. The chief selector's presence in Melbourne adds to the intrigue around the Indian captain's position moving forward.

Conclusion

With Nitish Kumar Reddy's stellar maiden century and promising weather conditions for Day 4, the Indian cricket team will look to build on this momentum and put up a strong fight against Australia as the Test series continues. Fans at the MCG are in for a thrilling encounter as the match progresses toward a pivotal conclusion.

Match Summary:

India: 358/9 at stumps, trailing by 116 runs
Top Performers:

• Nitish Kumar Reddy: 105*
• Washington Sundar: 50
• Scott Boland (AUS): 3/57
• Nathan Lyon (AUS): 2/88

Stat Attack:

• Highest partnership for 8th wicket or lower for India in Australia: 129 (Tendulkar-Harbhajan, Sydney 2008)
• Second instance of India's No. 8 and No. 9 hitting 50+ scores in the same innings of a Test in Australia.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting series!