Nitish Kumar Reddy, with the Indian cricket team in dire straits against Australia on the third day of the fourth Test in Melbourne, turned out to be India's savior with a difficult half-century in the 8th over place Saturday. During the innings, Reddy achieved a mega first in Indian cricket. His total of sixes against Australia in this series is 8. He is the first Indian to hit eight sixes in a single series in Australia. Today, he is also the record holder for the most sixes by a visiting batter in a series in Australia. Before him, Michael Vaughan (2002-03 Ashes) and Chris Gayle (2009-10) hit eight sixes in a single over.
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar's crucial 105-run stand helped India put up a fight against Australia in the ongoing Melbourne Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Saturday. At Tea on Day 03, India were at 326/7, with Washington Sundar (40*) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (85*) unbeaten ahead of the visitors as they trailed by 148 runs.
India, with the help of Washington and Nitish, made a strong comeback in the match, at a time when the Australians were in control of the match.
The visitors started the second session from 244/7 and added 82 runs in 24 overs without losing a single wicket.
Both middle-order batters looked solid on the field, they were determined to capitalize on the runs on the board and fight back against the Australian bowlers.
Early in the second session, Steve Smith dropped Washington's catch as he took an edge, which came off the back of the bat towards the Australian batter at second slip. Now, Smith will probably regret not taking it.
In the 83rd over of the match, Nitish lofted the ball through the vacant dot region for a four and made his maiden Test fifty. This helped the youngster gain confidence in the game as he continued to add points.
In the 84th over, India breathed a sigh of relief as they avoided the follow-up. Later in the 92nd over, India crossed the 300-run mark, all thanks to the partnership of Washington and Nitish.
The visitors needed a crucial partnership in the game without losing a wicket. The two youngsters proved it at the most important moment of the match.
Conditions deteriorated in Melbourne when it started to rain, after which the umpires took early tea.
With ANI inputs
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