Melbourne Test, Day 3: Centurion Reddy and Sundar incredible partnership keeps India in game

With the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy’s unforgettable maiden Test century and Washington Sundar’s brilliant half-century, India managed to bring some challenges for the hosts Australia in the Melbourne Test.

The third day of the fourth match of the five-match Test series started at 164/5 as Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja began the important day.

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Pant and Jadeja lost wickets in the key moments

Starting the day with some nervy moments, Pant and Jadeja had a 32-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Pant lost his wicket to Scott Boland after attempting to scoop as Nathan Lyon took the catch at the third man. After scoring 28 off 37 balls with the help of three fours, Pant lost his wicket disappointedly. 

Jadeja had a little 30-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Nitish Kumar Reddy before Lyon dismissed him through an lbw. Jadeja lost his wicket for 17 runs as his review was unluckily resulted in the umpire’s call.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar set a hundred partnership

While Washington Sundar joined Reddy, India were struggling at 221/7, and they were still 54 runs away to avoid follow-on. Although the visitors were struggling, Reddy and Sundar set up a solid partnership to rescue the visitors. 

Reddy and Sundar continuously built up a solid partnership, while Reddy completed his first Test half-century in 81 balls. Even, they handled the second new ball really well. 

Sundar completed 50 runs, Reddy recorded his first Test century

Sundar reached his fourth Test half-century in 146 balls, while their eighth wicket partnership comfortably completed 100 runs. While Lyon finally broke that 127-run eighth-wicket partnership by dismissing Sundar for 50 runs off 162 balls (one four), the Aussie captain Pat Cummins dismissed Jasprit Bumrah for a duck, leaving Reddy's deserving first Test century dream in threat.

However, the last batter Mohammed Siraj didn’t disappoint with the bat, as Reddy completed his first Test century by hitting a four to Scott Boland. Soon the second rain interruption of the day ended the third day of the Melbourne Test very early with India’s first innings total of 358/9. The visitors are still 116 runs behind Australia’s first innings total of 474 runs.