In a gripping display of resilience, Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar have propelled India to a more competitive position on Day 3 of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With India initially struggling at 191 for 6, the duo formed a record-breaking eighth-wicket partnership, adding 105 runs and significantly reducing the deficit.
Key Performances
As of the tea break on Day 3, India’s score stood at 326 for 7, trailing Australia by 148 runs. Nitish Reddy, who was just 15 runs shy of his maiden Test century, showcased remarkable composure throughout his innings, scoring 85 runs off 119 balls at an impressive strike rate of 71.43. His innings included controlled aggression as he played confidently against both pace and spin.
Washington Sundar contributed with a solid performance, scoring 40 runs off 115 balls, supporting Reddy effectively during their partnership that lasted over 32 overs. Their efforts have been crucial in stabilizing India’s innings after a precarious start.
Turning Point in the Match
The morning session had seen India lose key wickets quickly, with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja falling to Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon, respectively. Pant’s dismissal came when he attempted to lap Boland over the leg side but ended up top-edging to Lyon. Jadeja was trapped leg before wicket by Lyon’s clever bowling, leaving India in a challenging position at 221 for 7.
However, Reddy and Sundar’s partnership not only thwarted Australia’s attempts to wrap up the innings quickly but also forced them to take the second new ball for the first time in eight Tests.
Current Match Status
At the close of play on Day 3, India has managed to recover somewhat but still faces an uphill battle against Australia’s formidable first-innings total of 474 runs. The match is finely poised as India aims to avoid a follow-on and build a competitive score.
Brief Scores:
- India: 326/7 (Nitish Reddy 85*, Washington Sundar 40*)
- Australia: 474 (Steve Smith 140, Marnus Labuschagne 72; Jasprit Bumrah 4-99)
Player Lists
India Squad
- Rohit Sharma (Captain)
- KL Rahul
- Virat Kohli
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Nitish Reddy
- Washington Sundar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Mohammed Siraj
- Shardul Thakur
Australia Squad
- Pat Cummins (Captain)
- David Warner
- Steve Smith
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Travis Head
- Mitchell Marsh
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey (Wicketkeeper)
- Nathan Lyon
- Scott Boland
- Josh Hazlewood
Conclusion
As the Test progresses into its later stages, all eyes will be on Nitish Reddy as he seeks his maiden Test century and on Washington Sundar to provide continued support. The duo’s performance will be pivotal in determining India’s chances of staying competitive in this crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Disclaimer: The information presented is based on live updates from the ongoing Test match between India and Australia. Scores and statistics are subject to change as play continues.
