Nitish Kumar Reddy’s defiant maiden tonne claws India back into fourth Australia Test at MCG
The series debutant’s sparkling 105 not out was the bedrock of India’s first innings 358-9 in reply to Australia’s 445 before a sell-out crowd
India appear to have unearthed a new gem in Nitish Kumar Reddy, who conjured up a sensational maiden Test hundred to keep his team alive in the fourth test against Australia on Saturday.
The number eight batsman’s sparkling 105 not out was the bedrock of India’s first innings 358-9 in reply to Australia’s 445 in front of a sell-out crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that included his teary-eyed father.
At 221-7, the risk of follow-on loomed large on India but the seam-bowling all-rounder forged a 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar (50) in a spectacular rearguard to rescue the tourists.
The pair fell two runs shy of equalling the record for an eighth-wicket partnership for India versus Australia of 129, which was set by Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2008.
With Reddy on 97, Sundar’s 162-ball innings finally ended when he was caught at slip off the bowling of spinner Nathan Lyon (2-88) at 348-8.
With the last Indian batter Mohammed Siraj at the other end, Reddy went on to bring up his maiden Test 100 with a four off Scott Boland.
