Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Reddy to the rescue

In a Boxing Day clash energised by next-gen talent, India’s rookie all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy celebrated a stirring, maiden century on Saturday to give the visitors hope of saving the fourth Test against Australia.

The 21-year-old sent Indian fans into delirium as he strode forward to thump Scott Boland over mid-on for four to raise his hundred late on the third day, bringing tears to the eyes of his overjoyed father in the Melbourne Cricket Ground crowd.

Reddy strode off unbeaten on 105 when bad light and rain brought stumps an hour early, with India 358/9, still trailing Australia’s first innings 474 by 116 runs.

127

Partnership runs between Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar for the eighth wicket. It is the third-highest for India against Australia, behind the 140 between MS Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the ninth wicket in the 2013 Chennai Test and 129 by Sachin Tendulkar and Harbhajan Singh for the eighth wicket in the 2008 Sydney Test

Taking full advantage of a docile wicket, Reddy built a vital 127-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Washington Sundar (50) that dragged India back from the brink. India were 221/7 when they came together, still 54 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

The tourists still have hard yards ahead to deny Australia victory and a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series, with Sydney hosting the final match in the New Year.

But the players were buoyed by Reddy’s composure throughout his unbeaten, 176-ball knock. “One thing for sure, his mentality is very, very strong,” Sundar said. “The way he went about his innings, he was amazing.”

Reddy will return on Day 4 hoping to grab a few more runs with tailender Mohammed Siraj, who was two not out. Siraj enjoyed one of the day’s biggest cheers when he blocked out Australia’s paceman-captain Pat Cummins for three balls to allow Reddy, who was stranded at the non-striker’s end on 99, to complete his ton in the next over.

In just his fourth Test, Reddy celebrated his hundred by planting his bat in the turf, putting his helmet over the handle and saluting the sky as a huge crowd of 83,073 gave him a standing ovation.

The MCG crowds have now seen two young talents make their mark this Test, with Australia’s 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas producing a thrilling knock of 60 on Day 1 of his debut.

Australia’s fast bowlers had little joy from the wicket, leaving Nathan Lyon to make key breakthroughs. Lyon broke Reddy and Sundar’s big partnership by having Sundar edge to Steve Smith at slip. The veteran spinner also trapped Ravindra Jadeja lbw for 17, breaking a 30-run stand with Reddy.

Boland grabbed his third wicket of the innings when wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant holed out for 28 with a miscued reverse scoop in the morning that left former India opener Sunil Gavaskar fuming. “Stupid, stupid, stupid,” the TV commentator said. “That is letting your team down badly.”

Reddy resurrected India with an innings laden with attractive shots and meaty slogging. He raised his first Test fifty with a lofted square drive, despatching a loose Starc delivery to the ropes for four.

He later brought up the 100-run partnership with Sundar with a sumptuous cover drive, made all the more sweet for Indian fans when Lyon stumbled at the boundary to concede a four.

Australia had an injury scare as paceman Mitchell Starc pinched at his back with an apparent muscle strain before tea.

He was attended to by a team physio as he fielded in the deep but returned to bowl in the last session.

Boland praised Reddy for having “all the shots” but was confident Australia could bat India out of the game after dominating the opening days. “We’re in a pretty strong position. Obviously it could have been better but Test match cricket ebbs and flows,” he said.

105

Reddy’s score at stumps on the third day is the highest for a batter at No. 8 or lower in Tests in Melbourne. Australian Reggie Duff’s 104 at No. 10 in 1902 was the previous highest

5

Visiting batters to score Test hundreds batting at No. 8 or lower in Australia. It is the first century by a No. 8 (or lower) batter for India in Australia, with Anil Kumble’s 87 in 2008 the previous highest

2

India batters to score their maiden Test hundred at MCG: Vinoo Mankad (in 1948) and Reddy. He is the first visiting batter to score his maiden Test hundred at the venue since JP Duminy in 2008

‘Pant let team down with stupid shot’

Melbourne: The legendary Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday lashed out at Rishabh Pant for his “stupid” shot in crunch situation but praised young Nitish Kumar Reddy to the skies for conjuring up “one of the greatest Test knocks”.

With India desperately looking for a big partnership, Pant attempted to scoop Scott Boland to fine leg, only to get a leading edge for Nathan Lyon to complete a simple catch at deep third man.

Pant had tried to play a similar shot off the previous ball too but failed to connect and was hit in the naval area. The batter seemed to be in pain as he lay on the ground.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid. You have got two fielders there and you still go for that (shot). You missed the previous shot and look where you have been caught. You have been caught at deep third man. That is throwing your wicket,” a furious Gavaskar said while commentating.

“Not in the situation that India was... you have to understand the situation as well. You cannot say that that’s your natural game. I’m sorry, that is not your natural game. That is a stupid shot. That is letting your team down badly. He should not be going in the dressing room. He should be going in the other dressing room,” he added.

Gavaskar was full of praise for Reddy. “This century must rank as one of the greatest hundreds in the history of Indian cricket,” he said. pti