Indian all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar have spearheaded a lower-order fightback to frustrate Australia’s bowlers on day three of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
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The duo chewed into Australia’s first-innings lead with a counterpunching century partnership for the eighth wicket to help India avoid the follow-on and push the contest closer towards a draw.
India was 7-326 at tea, still trailing by 148 runs, with Reddy (85*) and Washington Sundar (40*) unbeaten in the middle.
Earlier, Indian gloveman Rishabh Pant gifted the Australians a late Christmas present by falling on his backside while attempting a reckless ramp against local hero Scott Boland, caught at deep third by Nathan Lyon for 28.
Resuming day three at 5-164 on Saturday morning, Pant signalled his intent early by charging at Pat Cummins and slapping the rival captain over long-on for an audacious boundary. The left-hander was living dangerously at the iconic venue, twice edging through the slips cordon and narrowly avoiding a run-out after attempting a suicidal single.
He added 32 runs with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja before his careless dismissal, while Lyon snuck a delivery through Jadeja’s defences and trapped him on the pads for 17.
MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs India fourth Test scorecard, stats, summary
Reddy and Sundar set about rebuilding the innings after the lunch break, with the former bringing up his maiden Test fifty in 81 deliveries.
The scoring tempo picked up after Australia took the second new ball, with Sundar somehow managing to flick a leg-side delivery towards the slips cordon off the leading edge, only for Steve Smith to drop a low chance.
Reddy and Sundar survived the entire afternoon session unscathed, with rain forcing a premature tea break. Meanwhile, Australia is sweating on the fitness of pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who was seen clutching at his back and getting treatment from the team physio.
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