Nitish Reddy & Washington Sundar Shine for India
Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar Shine for India at MCG
India’s young stars were shining brightly on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG as rain brought forward the close of play early. Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar stood out in an otherwise tough effort by the visitors as they reached 358 for 9 in response to Australia’s tall first-innings total of 474.
A Resilient Partnership to Remember
The partnership between Reddy and Sundar finally proved to be the turning point for India in this match. Their 127-run stand saved the follow-on for India and also provided the visitors with a fighting chance in this game. The two were commendably composed under pressure as they took full advantage of the fact that the surface had considerably softened up from the previous two days.
Nitish Reddy, India’s most consistent batter in the series so far, showed that he can counterattack with an attacking approach. His innings was laced with eight boundaries and a towering six, underlining his confidence and skill. At the other end, Washington Sundar provided steady support, blending solid defense with precise strokes against loose deliveries.
A Test of Temperament and Strategy
The Indian innings started on a really poor note, as the shot selection of Rishabh Pant added to the woes of the team. An early risky lap shot by Pant saw him getting dismissed most straightforwardly, putting India in a spot of bother. The Melbourne pitch had lost its initial green cover and turned into a very nice batting surface, which made Pant’s failure all the more disappointing.
The struggles of the morning, though, were soon overcome by the heroics of Reddy as his maiden Test fifty was well and truly timely. His knock showed great maturity for any young player and more so at a ground like MCG.
Australia’s Strong Position
Even though India fought back strongly, Australia remained ahead due to a first-innings lead of 116 runs. The Melbourne surface, which has been pretty flat during these last few years, might make things
difficult for the visiting bowlers to take 20 wickets as a fifth-day finish might well be on the cards.
A Day for the Records
This partnership between Reddy and Sundar is now a new record for the eighth wicket, epitomizing the decision to play both in the XI by head coach Gautam Gambhir. The onus is still uphill for India, but the role of the younger players in this tournament has been a good building block for the future.
Cricket Fans Stay Glued
While the newer talents keep impressing people, the greats like the “Godfather of Cricket” and the legacy he has maintained are continued by the Reddys and the Sundars, bringing in the required amount of passion and skill onto the field.
India’s resilience on Day 3 has kept the Boxing Day Test alive, setting the stage for an intriguing finish as the young stars continue to shine.
FAQs
- What was India’s score at the end of Day 3?
India reached 358 for 9 at stumps on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
- How big was the contribution of Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar all told?
They added a record 127 runs for the eighth wicket and saved India from the follow-on.
- Why was Rishabh Pant slammed for his choice of shot?
Pant attempted a potentially injudicious lap shot, one that got him out without making the most of this batting-friendly pitch.
- What does the MCG pitch offer in this game?
The drop-in pitch in the MCG got easier to bat on as the game wore on, and it became really tough for bowlers to take wickets.
- Where can the fans catch the action?
Fans can catch “live cricket for free” on sites like Winexch as the action and all the key moments unfold.
