IND vs AUS 4th Test, Day 3: India staged a spirited recovery on Day 3 of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), thanks to a crucial eighth-wicket partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. After a worrying morning session that saw the departure of overnight batters Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, the visitors found themselves in a precarious position. However, Reddy and Sundar displayed remarkable resolve to guide India to 326/7 at Tea, reducing the deficit to 148 runs. Play was halted due to bad light, leading to an early Tea break on Saturday.
IND vs AUS 4th Test, Day 3 Morning Session: A Stumbling Start
India began the day at 221/5, with hopes pinned on Pant and Jadeja to rebuild the innings. However, the morning session unfolded as a nightmare for the visitors. Australia’s Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon capitalized on the overcast conditions and disciplined bowling to send both established batters back to the pavilion.
Pant, who had looked in decent touch, attempted an adventurous lap shot off Boland but ended up top-edging the ball to Nathan Lyon stationed at third man. His dismissal for 27 was a significant blow, as he had the potential to score quickly and disrupt the Australian attack. Moments later, Jadeja, known for his solid technique and ability to grind out tough runs, was trapped LBW by Lyon. The off-spinner delivered a quicker ball at 88 kmph, catching Jadeja on the backfoot and dismissing him for a painstaking 18. Lyon’s mastery over Jadeja continued, marking the seventh time he has dismissed the Indian all-rounder in Test cricket.
India’s position seemed dire at 221/7, with the team still trailing by 253 runs and the follow-on target of 275 appearing distant. Australia appeared on course to secure a commanding first-innings lead and tighten their grip on the match.
A Resolute Partnership: Reddy and Sundar Stand Tall
IND vs AUS 4th Test, Day 3 With the odds stacked against them, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar came together at the crease. What followed was a masterclass in resilience and calculated aggression as the pair put on an unbeaten 105-run partnership, frustrating the Australian bowlers and keeping India’s hopes alive.
Reddy, playing in only his second Test, showcased composure beyond his years. His innings of 85 not out was a blend of solid defense and fluent stroke play. He avoided risky shots, particularly against short-pitched deliveries, demonstrating that he had learned from past dismissals. Reddy’s ability to adapt and counterattack was evident in his crisp drives against the pacers and confident use of his feet against Lyon. One of the few moments of audacity in his innings came when he attempted a reverse sweep off Scott Boland, but otherwise, his approach was controlled and mature.
At the other end, Sundar provided the perfect foil with his patient knock of 40 not out of 115 balls. The left-hander was content to bide his time, offering solid support to Reddy while ensuring that India edged closer to the follow-on mark. Sundar’s calm presence and ability to rotate the strike relieved the pressure and allowed Reddy to play with freedom.
Together, the duo batted for 32.1 overs, steadily chipping away at Australia’s lead and forcing the hosts to reassess their plans. The partnership also highlighted the favorable batting conditions, with the ball losing its sting and the pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers.
Key Moments of the Partnership
Several moments stood out during this partnership. Reddy’s assured drives against Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood signaled his intent to dominate, while Sundar’s compact defense frustrated the bowlers. The pair’s ability to rotate the strike and convert singles into doubles kept the scoreboard ticking and denied Australia the chance to build pressure.
A particularly significant moment came when Reddy reached his maiden Test fifty. The milestone was celebrated with a punch of the air, reflecting the importance of his innings in the context of the match. Sundar’s contribution, though less flamboyant, was equally vital in ensuring that India stayed in the contest.
Australia’s Struggles
The Australian bowlers, who had been so effective in the morning session, found themselves unable to break through the Reddy-Sundar partnership. Boland and Lyon continued to toil, while Cummins and Hazlewood probed without success. The decision to take the second new ball underscored Australia’s desperation, as it marked the first time in eight Tests that the hosts had been forced to do so in a first innings.
Fielding lapses further compounded Australia’s woes, with a couple of close chances going down and misfields adding to the frustration. Captain Pat Cummins shuffled his bowlers and field placements in an attempt to break the stand, but Reddy and Sundar remained unyielding.
Looking Ahead: The Road to 275 and Beyond
IND vs AUS 4th Test, Day 3 As play resumes after Tea, the immediate goal for India will be to avoid the follow-on by reaching the 275-run mark. With Reddy and Sundar looking set, the visitors will also aim to reduce the deficit further and get as close as possible to Australia’s first-innings total of 474. Every additional run will be crucial in ensuring that India stays competitive in the match.
For Australia, the priority will be to claim the remaining three wickets quickly and secure a significant lead. The hosts will need to bowl with discipline and take their chances in the field to wrap up India’s innings. The new ball will be a key weapon, and Cummins and Hazlewood will look to exploit any assistance it offers.
The Broader Picture
This partnership has not only kept India in the game but also showcased the depth in their batting lineup. The ability of lower-order batters like Reddy and Sundar to contribute significantly under pressure has been a hallmark of India’s recent Test successes. Their fightback on Day 3 has added intrigue to the contest and set the stage for an exciting finish.
As the Test enters its decisive phase, both teams will be aware of the stakes. For India, salvaging a draw or even pushing for a win will depend on how well they manage the next few sessions. For Australia, maintaining their dominance and enforcing their advantage will be the focus.
The stage is set for a gripping Day 4 as the Boxing Day Test continues to deliver thrilling cricket. Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as the drama unfolds at the MCG.
IND vs AUS 4th Test, Day 3 Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar combined brilliantly to cut down India’s deficit against Australia in the MCG Test, showcasing resilience and composure on a challenging third day. Walking in at a precarious 191/6, Nitish formed a remarkable unbeaten partnership of 105 runs with Sundar for the eighth wicket, steering India out of trouble. By the time bad light forced an early Tea break, India had reduced the deficit to 148 runs.
The duo’s partnership, spanning 32.1 overs, underlined the batting-friendly conditions. Sundar played a steady hand with a 115-ball 40, complementing Nitish’s aggressive yet calculated approach. Nitish, who reached his maiden Test fifty, stands just 15 runs away from a well-deserved century, his 85 coming at an impressive strike rate of 71.43.
Nitish’s innings was marked by maturity and discipline, as he avoided risky shots, particularly against Pat Cummins, who had previously dismissed him with a short ball in Adelaide. Despite a blow to his glove from a short delivery, Nitish remained undeterred, confidently driving the pacers and taking on Nathan Lyon. His controlled aggression was only briefly broken by an audacious reverse sweep attempt against Scott Boland.
The partnership was necessitated by a dramatic morning session where India lost Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in quick succession. Pant fell trying to lap Boland over the leg side but top-edged to Lyon at third man. Jadeja, unusually cautious, was undone by a sharp, quicker delivery from Lyon, trapping him LBW.
IND vs AUS 4th Test, Day 3 At 221/7 in the 65th over, Australia seemed poised to wrap up India’s innings quickly. However, the partnership between Nitish and Sundar thwarted those hopes, forcing Australia to take the second new ball for the first time in eight Tests during a first innings.
Brief Scores:
India: 326/7 (Nitish Reddy 85*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 82; Scott Boland 3-49)
Australia four test first inning 474 (Steve Smith 140, Marnus Labuschagne 72; Jasprit Bumrah 4-99)
Deficit: 148 runs.
