Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a superb first Test century to keep India in the fourth Test, but Australia remains in a strong position at the end of day three in Melbourne.
Playing in his fourth Test and with his father among the India fans in the stands, the 21-year-old made an unbeaten 105 to drag his side from 191-6 to 358-9 at the close.
He put on 127 runs in 47 overs for the eighth wicket with Washington Sundar to frustrate Australia after the early dismissals of Rishabh Pant for 28 and Ravindra Jadeja for 17.
Sundar fell for 50 with Reddy unbeaten on 97. When Jasprit Bumrah went for a three-ball duck, the batting all-rounder was at risk of being stranded as the last man, Mohammed Siraj, emerged.
But Siraj survived the rest of Cummins’ over, and Reddy, batting at number eight, reached three figures by elegantly driving his 10th four.
Bad light and rain arrived soon after, with India still 116 runs behind. However, Reddy’s knock means the tourists still have hope of earning at least a draw over the final two days, with the series tied at 1-1.
Reddy came into this series as a relative unknown, with three T20s as his only previous international matches. He won the Emerging Player award in this year’s Indian Premier League but had only scored one first-class century.
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However, the right-hander showed the skill and temperament of a player far beyond his years or record at the fabled MCG.
He came in after Pant was caught at deep third man while attempting to audaciously scoop Boland over his shoulder to fine leg and produced a far more measured innings.
Reddy put pressure on Australia’s bowlers with classy off-drives off both the front and back foot, and he even eased Nathan Lyon back over his head for his one six.
He moved to 97 without offering a chance, but after seeing his trusty partner Sundar fall, he then attempted a hack to get to three figures.
The ball narrowly cleared the in-field, and Reddy was able to take two. However, that left Bumrah exposed to Cummins, who quickly dismissed India’s vice-captain, leaving the youngster helpless at the non-striker’s end.
He nervously looked to the gloomy skies as Cummins completed his over and beat his bat in celebration, while Siraj defended the final ball to loud cheers from the India supporters in the crowd.
After reaching his century, Reddy dropped to one knee and looked skyward again, with his father now in tears as India flags waved around him.
