Gutsy Reddy's maiden ton keeps India afloat

Nitish Reddy, an unknown entity in red-ball cricket before the start of the Border-Gavaskar series, virtually bailed India out with his dogged maiden Test century here on Saturday, severely denting Australia's hopes of winning the Boxing Day contest.

- Agencies

MELBOURNE:

Reddy's unbeaten 105 took India to 358 for nine, still 116 runs short of Australia's first innings score of 474 as rain brought an early end to the third day's play. With the flat MCG deck not offering much to the bowlers, saving the Test match shouldn't be a big deal for India. Reddy, easily India's 'find of the series', played a pivotal role in the visitors' fightback. Reddy's combative spirit and the invaluable 127-run stand he shared with Washington Sundar (50 off 162 balls) proved to be the turning point for the hosts.

Reddy's innings was termed as one of the greatest Test knocks by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, given the situation as India were in a precarious position after Rishabh Pant's dismissal courtesy a rash shot had left India tottering at 191 for six. The young Andhra batter could have been stranded on 99 when Jasprit Bumrah got dismissed, leaving Reddy with last man Mohammed Siraj, who walked in to another round of boos and faced three deliveries from home skipper Pat Cummins.

Both Reddy and his father Muthyala's expressions changed with each ball, but Siraj survived to allow Reddy to savour the moment he must have dreamt a thousand times.