Nitish Kumar Reddy scores century as India chips into Australia's lead at the MCG

Nitish Kumar Reddy has come of age at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on day three, scoring a maiden Test century to drag India back into the Boxing Day Test.

After starting the day five wickets down and 310 runs behind Australia's first innings, India was able to bat through the day — with the assistance of two rain delays — to finish 9-358 with a deficit of 116 runs.

Australia was looking to cement a big advantage on day three and looked set when Rishabh Pant was dismissed by Scott Boland, playing a shot Sunil Gavaskar described as "stupid" on ABC Sport.

When Nathan Lyon trapped Ravindra Jadeja LBW for 17 Australia was in command as they paused for lunch.

But 21-year-old Nitish and Washington Sundar put on 127 runs for the eighth wicket to drag the tourists into the back into the fight.

The late dismissal of Washington (50) and Jasprit Bumrah for a duck gave Australia some momentum inthe final session.

Nitish, in just his fourth Test, had to rely on his partner Mohammed Siraj (2 not out) to survive long enough for the young man to bring up the 100 in front of another massive crowd.

His father was seen crying in the stands, watching his boy achieve the milestone before rain and bad light brought about an early end to play.

Look back at all the action in our live blog below, and check out the full ScoreCentre.

Key Events Stumps: India 9-358, trailling Australia by 116 runs 44 minutes ago Bad light forces the players off 1 hours ago Nitish Kumar Reddy scores his maiden Test century 1 hours ago Show all key events Live: Boxing Day Test — Australia vs India M By Michael Doyle Stumps: India 9-358, trailling Australia by 116 runs M By Michael Doyle That is it for day three. What a terrific day to test cricket from India. Few would have thought they would end this day still batting in their first innings. But Nitish Kumar Reddy's maiden Test century, and a half-century from Washington Sundar has dragged India back into the match. That was Test batting at its best. Controlled, disciplined and patient. Australia are still ahead of the game, but the big advantage they hoped for did not eventuate. Could bad light be a good thing for Australia? M By Michael Doyle Bad light probably a good thing for the Aussies this evening. Last thing they needed was an awkward hour of batting and ending up 3 or 4 down and only a lead of 170-180. - Sean G'day Sean. It is a provocative thought. It would have been a very difficult period to bat, especially with that brilliant fast bowler named Jasprit Bumrah. But Australia also wants to grab as big of a lead as they can. Rain is now falling at Melbourne M By Michael Doyle The chances of us getting any more cricket today are all but gone. Rain is now falling and the big covers are coming on. Bad light forces the players off M By Michael Doyle The players are walking off the field. The floodlights are doing a lot of heavy lifting — and the umpires have said that is enough. Nitish is getting a massive round of applause as he raises his bat. A few Australians have gone up and offered congratulations to the 21-year-old. 116th over — Lyon continues M By Michael Doyle Lyon bowls down the leg side to Nitish who misses. The second ball turns sharp and hits the top of Nitish's pad for no run. Nitish works a ball off his pad to deep square for a single. Siraj is on strike. BEATEN! Lyon bowls outside off and beats Siraj's edge. EDGE. But it beats slip. Siraj runs two. The final ball of the over from Lyon and Siraj defends well. 115th over continues M By Michael Doyle Boland to Nitish and he defends. A wide ball is then hit through the off side and the Indians take a single. Siraj has one ball to face. Boland bowls and Siraj punches down the ground. Siraj wants the single — and Nitish tells him to get stuffed and stay were you are. End of the over. Nitish Kumar Reddy scores his maiden Test century M By Michael Doyle Nitish Kumar Reddy has brought up his first Test century. He hits a lofted drive over mid-on to the boundary. Well done young man. When his country needed it most, the 21-year-old has dragged India back into this Test match. "Wonderful, wonderful shot that … I'm sure this is going to be the first of many hundreds" — Sunil Gavaskar. 115th over — Boland bowls to Nitish on 99 M By Michael Doyle Boland comes in — the crowd is loud. Nitish defends outside the off stump for no run. APPEAL. Nitish is hit on the pads but the umpire turns it down. 114th over continues — Siraj needs to survive M By Michael Doyle There are three balls left in this over. Mohammed Siraj needs to survive three balls to give Nitish a chance to score his century. BEATEN. Siraj dangled his bat outside off stump and JUST missed the edge. Cummins bowls a short ball and Siraj ducks. One ball left in the over. SIRAJ DEFENDS. SIRAJ SURVIVES. Nitish will get a chance to score his century. WICKET. BUMRAH IS OUT M By Michael Doyle Pat Cummins strikes. He gets the edge the edge and Khawaja takes the catch in the slips. Nitish must be nervous. Will he be standard on 99? 114th over — Cummins bowls to Bumrah M By Michael Doyle Jasprit Bumrah is on strike. His partner, Nitish Kumar Reddy, is at the other end on 99. Pat Cummins brings himself on to bowl and gives him a short one to start. Cummins bowls full and Bumrah defends into the off side. Well done Jasptit. 113rd over — Nitish is on 99 M By Michael Doyle Nitish punches into the off side — AND REFUSES A SINGLE. Nitish, you're on 97. He clearly has little faith in Jasprit Bumrah who is out in the middle with him. Boland bowls and Nitish punches to cover point for no run. Nitish again defends into the off side for no run. Australia are giving the single to Nitish. A block from Nitish results in a fourth dot ball. Boland bowls outside off stump and Nitish leaves it alone. Nitish GOES FOR IT. The ball is high in the air, and it clears the infield. They run two. Nitish did not want to take the second, but Bumrah was charging back for the second run. Bumrah is on strike for the next over. Nitish is on 99. WICKET. WASHINGTON IS OUT. LYON STRIKES M By Michael Doyle FINALLY. Lyon gets a ball to bounce, it takes the outside edge of Washington Sundar's bat. The ball went at a nice height to Steve Smith at first slip to take the catch. Well done Washington Sundar. That is an outstanding performance. 112th over — Lyon continues after drinks M By Michael Doyle The first ball after drinks from Lyon is knocked to long-on by Nitish for a single. Nitish is on 97. Washington on the back foot defends and gets a little inside edge. Washington is on the front foot and defends on the leg side for no run. Lyon bowls at the stumps and gets Washington defending again. Lyon bowls wide to tempt the Indian. 111th over — Boland continues M By Michael Doyle Nitish is on 95 and he leaves the first ball of Boland's over which is outside off stump. Nitish blocks, thinks about a quick single, and then is sent back by his partner. Nitish defends and gets and inside edge which goes behind backward square and he gets a single. Nitish is on 96. Washington is on strike and he leaves a ball outside off stump. Two balls left in the over. Washington defends for no run, and then again to end the over. That is drinks. 110th over — Lyon continues M By Michael Doyle Nitish is on 94. Lyon bowls on his pads and the Indian batter defends. On the back foot Nitish defends the second ball of the over. Lyon, around the wicket, bowls on the leg stump and Nitish misses a wild sweep and hits the pads. A fuller ball is driven to mid-on for a single. Nitish is on 95. Washington on strike and he drives back to Lyon for no run. The final ball is defended on the front foot to end the over. 109th over — Boland persists outside off stump M By Michael Doyle Boland to Washington who defends the first ball of the over, then leaves the second that is outside off stump. A short ball from Boland is ducked under by Washington. Another tempting ball outside off stump is left alone by Washington. Boland again on a fifth stump line and again Washington leaves. Boland bowls at the body and Washington defends on the back foot. A maiden over for Boland. 108th over — Washington Sundar score 50 M By Michael Doyle Lyon to Nitish who defends a straight ball on the front foot. Nitish drives but Lyon is able to field off his own bowling. Lyon bowls on the pads and Nitish hits it straight to the mid-wicket fielder. A drive into the off side gets a single. Nitish is into the 90s. Washington on strike and drives to mid-off for a single. That is the half-century for Washington Sundar. A great knock. FOUR. Nitish sweeps the final ball of the over and it is going to the rope. The huge Indian crowd rise as one and the flags are flying at the MCG. 107th over — Boland tries to make something happen M By Michael Doyle Boland comes around the wicket and bowls to Washington and gets a ball to jag in and hit the thigh pad of the Indian. Boland bowls outside off and Washinton fends off the back foot into the off side. Boland again bowls outside off on a good length and Washington leaves it. Boland again bowls, this time fuller, and Washington defends on the front foot. Boland is asking questions, or at least trying to. Washington defends a good length ball into the off side for no run. BEATEN. Washington draws out a drive and just missed the outside edge. Great ball from Boland. Another maiden over. Show more posts

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