There will be half an hour early start on Day 4 (10 am local time) to compensate for the lost overs on Day 3.
That means in India, play will start at 4.30 am.
Nitish Kumar Reddy rescued India with a maiden Test hundred against Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.
The hundred by Nitish at No. 8 came when India needed someone to stay at the crease.
India vs Australia Live Score: Reddy slams maiden century; India 358/9 at stumps
India unearthed a new batting star as 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy displayed remarkable composure to score his maiden Test century, spearheading a spirited fightback on day three of the fourth Test against Australia.
At stumps on Saturday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India reached 358-9, trailing Australia’s first-innings total of 474 by 116 runs—a far cry from the precarious position of 221-7 earlier in the day.
Reddy, playing only his fourth Test and batting at No. 8, stitched together a crucial 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar, who contributed a gritty 50. Their stand came within two runs of equaling India’s eighth-wicket record against Australia, set by Harbhajan Singh and Sachin Tendulkar in Sydney in 2008.
Sundar, primarily a spin-bowling all-rounder, survived a sharp chance off Mitchell Starc at 18, dropped by a diving Steve Smith in the slips. However, Sundar played a resolute knock, facing 162 deliveries and striking just one boundary before falling to Nathan Lyon (2-88) at 348-8.
Reddy’s innings was a blend of patience and flair. On 97, he lost Jasprit Bumrah for a duck to Pat Cummins (3-86), but steadied himself to complete his hundred with an elegant on-drive to the boundary. His milestone—off 171 balls and featuring 10 fours and one six—was met with deafening cheers from the crowd, including his father.
The day began with India resuming on 164-5 and struggling to 244-7 by lunch after losing Rishabh Pant (28) and Ravindra Jadeja (17). However, Reddy and Sundar counterattacked effectively, adding 82 runs without loss in the post-lunch session.
Rain and bad light eventually halted play with Reddy unbeaten on 105. His innings has been the standout performance in a challenging series for India’s lower order, which has often been tested by Australia’s relentless bowling attack led by Cummins and Scott Boland (3-57).
Australia’s 474 was anchored by Steve Smith’s 34th Test century, a sublime 140 that moved him into joint-seventh on the all-time list for Test hundreds.
The five-match series, tied 1-1 after a rain-affected draw in Brisbane, sets up a thrilling finale in Sydney, starting January 3.
India vs Australia Live Score: That’s STUMPS on DAY 3
It’s pouring at the moment at MCG. That’s STUMPS on DAY 3
INDIA 358/9 at stumps on Day 3, trail by 116 runs
Nitish Kumar Reddy 105*, Mohammed Siraj 2*
Scott Boland 3/57, Nathan Lyon 2/88
India vs Australia Live Score: UPDATE!
Heavy rainfall has begun at the MCG. The cricket pitch is currently protected with covers. The downpour is getting stronger, and ground staff are bringing additional covers onto the field.
For our family, it’s a special day and we cannot forget this day in our life. He has been performing well since the age group of 14-15 and now in international cricket, it’s a very special feeling. (On what were his emotions when Nitish was on 99 with one one wicket remaining) I was very tensed. Only the last wicket was remaining. Thankfully Siraj managed to survive
Mutyala Reddy, Nitish’s father, as Adam Gilchrist interviews him for the official broadcaster. India vs Australia Live Score: Reddy reaches fighting maiden century
Nitish Kumar Reddy showcased remarkable grit and determination on Saturday, scoring a defiant maiden Test century to keep India in the hunt against Australia in the fourth Test.
Amid loud cheers from Indian supporters at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the 21-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder reached the milestone during the final session on day three.
Reddy remained unbeaten on 103, guiding India to 354-9 in response to Australia’s first-innings total of 474.
His century came off 172 balls and included 10 fours and one six. He brought up the landmark with a confident drive over mid-on off Scott Boland, having earlier reached his half-century with a sparkling cover drive off Mitchell Starc.
Reddy was instrumental in a 127-run eighth-wicket partnership with Washington Sundar, which fell just three runs short of breaking India’s record for the highest eighth-wicket stand on Australian soil.
Aggressive yet composed, Reddy’s innings continued the fine form he has displayed throughout his debut series. In just six Test innings, he has amassed 282 runs at an average exceeding 70, underlining his potential as a reliable all-rounder.
India vs Australia Live Score: Bad light halts play at MCG!
Bad light halts play at MCG!
INDIA 358/9, trail by 116 runs vs AUSTRALIA
Nitish Kumar Reddy 105*, Mohammed Siraj 2*
The umpires have decided to halt play and escort players off the field due to deteriorating light conditions. Nitish Kumar Reddy receives a warm ovation from the MCG spectators, including his father in attendance, as he returns to the pavilion.
India vs Australia Live Score: STAT ATTACK
Only two players have scored centuries batting at No. 8 or lower younger than Reddy:
Abul Hasan (20y 108d) and Ajay Ratra (20y 150d).
India vs Australia Live Score: STAT ATTACK!
Youngest at the time of maiden Test century for India in Australia
18y 256d Sachin Tendulkar Sydney 1992
21y 92d Rishabh Pant Sydney 2019
21y 216d Nitish Reddy Melbourne 2024
22y 46d Dattu Phadkar Adelaide 1948
India vs Australia Live Score: CENTURY! REDDY HITS TON!
CENTURY! Nitish Reddy slams maiden Test century. He hits Boland for a boundary to bring up his maiden century. Reddy kneels down, plants his bat and keeps his helmet on top to celebrate the milestone. What a moment for the youngster. His father is sitting in the stands and is emotional right now.
India vs Australia Live Score: WICKET! Bumrah falls!
WICKET! Pat Cummins dismisses Jasprit Bumrah for a duck.
High tension unfolds at the MCG as Nitish Kumar Reddy remains stranded on 99 at the non-striker’s end! Cummins delivers a splendid ball from over the wicket. The delivery pitches on a good length around off stump and moves away after hitting the surface. Jasprit Bumrah, displaying poor technique with minimal footwork, extends his bat away from his body. The resultant thick edge carries directly to second slip, where Usman Khawaja completes a straightforward catch, leaving India with their ninth wicket down.
INDIA 350/9, trail by 124 runs vs AUSTRALIA
India vs Australia Live Score: STAT ATTACK!
Highest partnership for 8th wicket or lower for India in Australia
129 Sachin Tendulkar – Harbhajan Sydney 2008
127 Nitish Reddy – W Sundar Melbourne 2024
107 Anil Kumble – Harbhajan Adelaide 2008
India vs Australia Live Score: WICKET! Sundar falls!
WICKET! Nathan Lyon finally breaks the record-breaking partnership. A 126-run stand finally comes to an end. Sundar falls for 50 runs
Lyon delivers a well-flighted ball with additional energy, landing it at a persistent length near off stump, achieving considerable dip. Sundar is compelled to reach forward and attempts to defend with gentle hands, but the unexpected bounce proves challenging. The ball catches the bat’s edge and travels swiftly to Steven Smith at first slip. Australia celebrating this big success.
INDIA 348/8, trail by 126 runs vs AUSTRALIA
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India vs Australia Live Score: STAT ATTACK!
Only the second instance of India’s No. 8 and No. 9 hitting 50 plus scores in the same innings of a Test in Australia.
The first instance came in Adelaide in 2008 when Anil Kumble (87) and Harbhajan (63) made 50+ scores.
India vs Australia Live Score: FOUR for Reddy!
FOUR! Nitish Kumar Reddy smashes Nathan Lyon for a boundary with a superb sweep shot. He moves to 94 now. He is just 6 runs away from his maiden Test century.
India vs Australia Live Score: FIFTY!
FIFTY!
Washington Sundar brings up his fourth Test half century
INDIA 341/7, trail by 133 runs vs AUSTRALIA
India vs Australia Live Score: Reddy moves into 90s
Nitish Kumar Reddy takes a single off Nathan Lyon and he moves into 90s.
India vs Australia Live Score: STAT ATTACK
Highest score batting at #8 or below for India in Australia
88* Nitish Reddy Melbourne 202487 Anil Kumble Adelaide 2008
81 Ravindra Jadeja Sydney 2019
67* Kiran More Melbourne 1991
67 Shardul Thakur Brisbane 2021
India vs Australia Live Score: ‘It was a stupid shot, Pant let team down’
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday slammed Rishabh Pant for his “stupid” shot, accusing the wicketkeeper-batter of letting the team down by recklessly giving away his wicket when India needed him the most.
On day three of the fourth Test against Australia at the MCG, Pant, at a crucial juncture, attempted to scoop Scott Boland to fine leg but ended up skying a leading edge to Nathan Lyon at deep third man.
Pant had tried a similar shot on the previous delivery but failed to connect, taking a painful hit to the naval area as he crumpled to the ground.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid,” an irate Gavaskar remarked during commentary. “You have got two fielders there, and you still go for that shot. You missed the previous one, and look where you’ve been caught—at deep third man. That is throwing your wicket away.”
Criticizing Pant’s approach, Gavaskar added, “Not in the situation that India was in. You have to understand the situation as well. You cannot just say, ‘That’s my natural game.’ I’m sorry, that is not your natural game. That is a stupid shot. It’s letting your team down badly.”
In a scathing remark, Gavaskar said, “He should not be going into the dressing room. He should be going into the other dressing room.”
Former India coach Ravi Shastri also expressed his disapproval, describing Pant’s shot as “very risky.”
India vs Australia Live Score: Sundar and Reddy playing cautiously!
The first 15-30 minutes after play resumes are critical for batters, as they need to approach with caution. Three overs have been bowled and Starc and Marsh have conceded just 2 runs together.
India vs Australia Live Score: It’s time for action!
Australia players are making their way out to the middle. Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy resume their batting. Mitchell Marsh will start the proceedings. Here we go .. !!!
India vs Australia Live Score: UPDATE!
Good news, folks!
Play to resume in 15 minutes. The action will resume at 10.30 am IST.
India vs Australia Live Score: UPDATE!
The covers are being removed. The main cover is being removed too. Umpires are speaking to groundstaff at the moment. Things are looking fine for the resumption of play. Official conf
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