Reddy Scores Maiden Century as India Fight Back in Melbourne

Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a determined maiden century on Saturday as India staged a resilient fightback to reach 358-9 on a rain-affected third day of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The rising all-rounder Reddy was applauded off the field on 105 not out after rain brought a premature end to play in the final session. Having provided much-needed stability to India's otherwise fragile batting effort, the 21-year-old will resume on Sunday alongside Mohammed Siraj, who is on two, with the first-innings deficit reduced to 116 runs.

Australia had earlier posted 474, and their push for a more substantial lead was stifled by Reddy and fellow spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar, who made 50. The pair shared a vital 127-run stand for the eighth wicket.

To the roar of a large contingent of Indian supporters in a record crowd of 83,073 at the MCG, Reddy lofted Scott Boland over mid-on to bring up his century just before play was halted.

Reddy's innings was marked by resolute defence, interspersed with some classical strokeplay. He faced 176 balls, striking 10 fours and one six, continuing his excellent form in what is his debut Test series. In his first six innings, Reddy has accumulated 284 runs at an average of 71.

Seamers Boland, who took 3-57, and Pat Cummins, with 3-86, were the most successful Australian bowlers, exploiting conditions that offered little assistance despite the overcast skies.

Sundar's gritty knock of 50, off 162 balls, came to an end when he was caught at first slip by Steve Smith off the bowling of off-spinner Nathan Lyon. The partnership had stretched across the entire second session, with India progressing from 164-5 overnight to 244-7 at lunch.

Sundar survived a remarkable moment earlier in the day when, on 18, he attempted to flick a leg-side delivery from Mitchell Starc. The ball flew off the back of his bat into the slip cordon, where a diving Smith failed to hold a one-handed opportunity.

India had lost both Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in the morning session. Pant's innings of 28 ended when he over-balanced attempting a ramp shot off Boland, top-edging the ball to third man where Lyon took a simple catch. Jadeja was trapped lbw by Lyon for 17, playing back to a delivery that skidded on.

The crowd of 83,073 set a new record for the third day of a Boxing Day Test, according to Cricket Australia, and it was the largest day-three crowd at the MCG since 1937. The overall attendance for the first three days now stands at 255,462, a total that looks set to surpass the previous Boxing Day Test record of 271,865.

Rain interruptions reduced the day's play by about 40 minutes, both before and after tea.

With the series tied 1-1, attention now turns to the final Test in Sydney next week.