Reddy's fighting century keeps India in Border-Gavaskar series
A gutsy century from Indian rising star Nitish Kumar Reddy in front of his emotional father in the stands helped haul the tourists off the canvas at the MCG, giving them a fighting chance of staving off defeat in the fourth Test.
Australia’s hopes of taking a 2-1 lead in the Border-Gavaskar series with just one Test remaining were left bruised after a courageous 127-run eighth-wicket stand between Reddy and spinner Washington Sundar on day three of a gripping Test.
A day that began with Australia aiming to polish off the Indian tail and secure a big first-innings lead ended with the tourists still occupying the crease, with India at 9-358, trailing Australia by 116 runs, when players came off for bad light at 5.25pm.
India lost just four wickets across 70 overs of play on Saturday as Australia’s bowlers were made to toil away unsuccessfully with a second new ball.
Australian bowler Scott Boland, who took 3-57 from 27 overs, is confident his side can still orchestrate a victory.
“We’re leading by [116] runs, so a pretty strong position,” Boland said. “Hopefully tomorrow morning we get that first wicket and then put on a really nice lead. There’s still a little bit of nip there at the moment – not as consistent as I’d like as a bowler – but I think it’s going to be a pretty good Test match wicket.”
Having made his debut in the first Test at Perth, Reddy’s stocks continue to soar after the 21-year-old brought up a maiden Test century off 171 balls. Sundar perished for an important 50, caught by Steve Smith off Nathan Lyon.
Nitish Kumar Reddy celebrates reaching three figures.Credit: AP
When Jasprit Bumrah was removed by Pat Cummins for a duck, India were nine down with Reddy still on 99. No.11 Mohammed Siraj had to survive three balls to get his partner a shot at becoming the first No.8 batsman to reach triple figures in a Test at the MCG.
Siraj kept Cummins out before Reddy drove a ball over the head of mid-on to bring up his hundred, before celebrating by planting his bat into the ground and hanging his helmet from the handle.
Cameras panned to his father, Mutyala Reddy, who had been shown praying throughout the innings and looked an emotional wreck when his son was in the 90s.
Nitish Kumar Reddy acknowledges the crowd as he walks off the field after bad light stopped play.Credit: AP
“He is saying for our family it is a very special day,” Reddy’s uncle told Fox commentator Adam Gilchrist in a translation for Mutyala. “We cannot forget this day in our life.”
Sundar said Reddy’s innings would be remembered for years to come.
“Very, very happy for Nitish. He got an unbelievable hundred. I’m sure this will be remembered forever,” Sundar said. “Playing against Australia in Australia, you’re always going to be put under challenge. You’ve got to be ready to fight through those challenging situations.
“They came in quite hard. We just made sure we didn’t lose any wickets, especially in those spells. He is mentally very, very strong. The way he went about his business today was amazing. I think we’re in a good position.”
Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc appeared to be nursing a back complaint during the day but continued to bowl without luck or wickets, finishing with figures of 0-86 from 25 overs.
The fact Starc continued to bowl eased concerns he had suffered a serious injury, but a three-day turnaround between the Melbourne and Sydney Tests might prompt selectors to consider bringing in a fresher paceman. Boland, who talked down the injury, said he admired Starc’s ability to play through pain.
Reddy’s score was the highest by an Indian No.8 batsman in a Test in Australia. He now boasts the second most runs in the series, behind only Travis Head, with 284 runs at 71.
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“He’s obviously a very nice player and does well in the IPL,” Boland said. “He’s doing well here in Australian conditions as well. He looks like he’s got pretty much every shot in the book. He’s playing really nicely. He’s trying to put the pressure back on us.”
Centuries from No.8 are uncommon, but India’s Ravi Ashwin managed triple figures batting at No.8 five times between 2013 and this year. It was the first time in Tests that an Indian No.8 and No.9 have faced more than 150 balls each in the same innings.
India have been well-supported throughout the Test but their fans had never been louder than on Saturday as Reddy and Washington wrestled back momentum.
The attendance of 83,073 was the largest day three crowd for a Boxing Day Test, taking the total match tally to 255,462.
If Thursday belonged to Sam Konstas and Friday was Steve Smith’s day in the sun, Saturday was Reddy’s chance to show everyone he truly belonged at Test level.
Konstas will bat again on Sunday, with Australia likely to chase quick runs in pursuit of victory. But the events of Saturday have given India added belief.
“We keep fighting no matter what,” Sundar said. “That has been instilled in us.”
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