Australia v India: Nitish Kumar Reddy hits century in fourth Test

Nitish Kumar Reddy hit a superb first Test century to keep India in the fourth Test – but Australia remain 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, 21-year-old Reddy made an unbeaten 105 to drag his side from 191-6 to 358-9 at the close.

He put on 127 in 47.1 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 and when Jasprit Bumrah went for a three-ball duck, the batting all-rounder was at risk of being stranded as 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 – but Reddy’s knock means the tourists have hope of earning at least a draw over the final two days.