India vs Australia 4th Test, Day 3 Live Score Updates: Nitish Reddy Eyes Maiden Ton But Play Gets Halted Due To…

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Bad light stops play! Tea break

UUHH HOOO!!! As were discussing about Nitish Reddy’s potential upcoming century, the play gets halted due to bad light at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The overcast conditions and slight drizzle have forced the umpires to take such a call and this also marks the end of the second session. At Tea, India’s score read 326/7, trailing by 148 runs. 

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Reddy on fire, eyes maiden ton

WOAHHH!!!! Nitish Reddy has switched on his fiery mode and is fearlessly attacking every Australian bowler. In the previous over of Mitchell Marsh, he hammers two back-to-back boundaries as the Australia all-rounder concedes nine runs. Reddy is currently batting at 85 and inching closer towards his maiden century. A very memorable moment of his career is approaching. 

IND 324/7 (96 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Sundar nears 50

Just like Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar is also dealing in boundaries and keeping the momentum on India’s side. In the previous over of Mitchell Starc, Sundar fearlessly unleashes a boundary and breaches the 35-run mark. He is now inching closer towards his fifty. 

IND 315/7 (95 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: FOUR

FOUR!!!! Nitish Kumar Reddy is just unstoppable today and smashing boundaries regularly. This time, he once again takes on Nathan Lyon and hammers a fiery boundary. Reddy makes a good use of wrists and smashes it over extra cover. The fielder at the long-off tries his best but the ball just comfortably races across the boundary line for a four. 

IND 311/7 (94 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: 300 up for India

The fiery partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar have took India’s score across the 300-run mark. The Australian bowlers are now desperately waiting to scalp a wicket at the earliest, in order to bounce back in the game. However, India still need to bat for a long duration to take a lead. 

IND 302/7 (92 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Historic record

Nitish Kumar Reddy hits another very good looking shot. Of a fuller ball by Boland, Reddy uses full face of his bat and drives the ball past the bowler for a four. The unbeaten 77-run stand is now the highest 8th wicket partnership for India against Australia at the MCG. The last record was Tiger Pataudi and Surti’s.

India vs Australia Day 3 live: Bat for long

India trail by less than 200 runs now. The aim should now be to bat as long as possible. The closer India gets to Australia’s total the better. It will give India a major chance of pulling out something out of this Test match. But one man who deserves all the appreciation is Nitish Kumar Reddy. HIs emergence has given a second top fast bowling allrounder after Hardik Pandya

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: India escape follow-on

AND INDIA HAVE DONE IT!!!! The partnership between Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar has helped the visitors escape the follow-on. In the previous over of Pat Cummins, the duo scores five runs as India have changed the momentum of the game. As soon as India escape the follow-on, the fans in the stands wave the tri-colour flag to celebrate the moment. 

IND 275/7 (84 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Reddy hits 50

FIFTY!!! Nitish Kumar Reddy hits a boundary off Mitchell Starc’s delivery and completes his half-century in style. It is his maiden half-century for India in the longest format and he brings it up in 81 balls. Reddy takes this moment and celebrates his maiden fifty by doing Allu Arjun’s famous pose from movie Pushpa. His celebration leaves the spectators and commentators awestruck.

IND 268/7 (82.3 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Sundar survives again

WOW!!! Washingston Sundar gets another crucial lifeline as India’s hunt for runs continues. Sundar looks to flick on Mitchell Starc’s delivery and the bottom hand comes off the bat handle, the ball hits the back side of the bat and flies low to second slip. Steve Smith dives across to his right with one hand and does not hang on.

IND 261/7 (80.3 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: 3 runs off the over

The duo of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar is rotating the strike regularly. In the previous over of Travis Head, the duo scores three runs. Australia are desperately looking to break this strong partnership, in order to maintain their dominance in the game. 

IND 259/7 (78 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: 250 up for India

250 up for India!!!! The partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar is taking India ahead in the game. In the previous over of Nathan Lyon, the duo scores six runs. With this, India have gone past the 250-run mark. However, India are still under the follow-on threat. 

IND 253/7 (75 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: 2nd session begins

Hello and welcome to the second session on Day 3 of the fourth Test between India and Australia in Melbourne. Before going for Lunch, India’s score read 244/7 in 73 overs with Nitish Kumar Reddy (40*) and Washington Sundar (5*) standing unbeaten at the crease. In this session, Reddy will look to convert his score into a half-century and take his partnership deeper with Washington Sundar. This is crucial session as India need to survive, in order to escape the follow-on. Let’s play!

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Lunch

This marks the end of the first session on Day 3 of the fourth Test between India and Australia in Melbourne. At Lunch, India’s score read 244/7 in 73 overs with Nitish Kumar Reddy (40*) and Washington Sundar (5*) standing unbeaten at the crease. Currently, the visitors are trailing by 230 runs and need 31 runs to avoid the follow-on. In the first session, India lost the wickets of Rishabh Pant (28) and Ravindra Jadeja (17).

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Reddy nears 50

As long as Nitish Reddy is standing unbeaten, India are very much in the game. He is confidently taking on every Australian bowler and taking Team India ahead in the match. In the previous over of Travis Head, he hits a terrific boundary and breaches the 40-run mark. He is now inching closer towards his half-century and also getting a good support from Washington Sundar. 

IND 243/7 (72 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Luck favours Sundar

WOAH!!! That was close and Washington Sundar gets a crucial lifeline. Facing a shortish delivery from Pat Cummins, Sundar tries to go for a defensive shot but the ball misses the bat and hits the glove. Looks like a simple catch but it falls just before wicketkeeper Alex Carey and Sundar remains in the game. 

IND 232/7 (69.5 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Maiden over

Along with boundaries and singles, Indian duo of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar is also showing a cautious approach and carefully taking India ahead in the game. The previous over from Pat Cummins goes maiden as the Indian batters are looking for a perfect opportunity to hit boundaries. India still need 46 runs to avoid the follow-on. 

IND 229/7 (68 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Six from Reddy

WOAHH!!!! That’s massive!!! Just few deliveries ago, India lost the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja but Nitish Reddy is not holding back and taking on every Australian bowler. This time, he hammers a huge maximum off Nathan Lyon as India are slowly marching to avoid the follow-on. Reddy uses his feet, gets close to the pitch of the flighted delivery and smashes it downtown for a flat six. 

IND 228/7 (66.2 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: OUT

OUT!!! India are in deep trouble now as they have lost another big wicket. This time, Nathan Lyon opens his wicket tally and removes Ravindra Jadeja for 17. Lyon strikes onto the pads of Jadeja as the on-field umpire wastes no time and signals LBW out. The India all-rounder then opts for a DRS but it also gives the verdict as umpire’s call and Jadeja departs. India are now seven down. 

IND 221/7 (64.5 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: Onus on Jadeja-Reddy

Despite the dismissal of Rishabh Pant, India are holding some momentum as the duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy is forming a good partnership. They are rotating the strike and also stealing boundaries regularly. However, India still need 55 runs to avoid the follow-on. Can they do it? Only time will tell. 

IND 220/6 (64 overs)

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3, Live: FOUR

FOUR!!!! Ravindra Jadeja is keeping India in the game with his regular boundaries. He has now hit a terrific boundary off Mitchell Starc. Jadeja stays well-balanced and flicks it with good timing through mid-wicket. The ball comfortably races across the boundary line for four. 

IND 218/6 (63.1 overs)

India vs Australia Day 3 Live: Great compliment

Gavaskar call Reddy the find of the series! And he is right. He has already scored 19 off 23 balls. He is taking the pressure off Jadeja too. After 61 overs

India are 213-6, trailing Australia by 261 runs

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3 Live: FOUR

Another four for Reddy! This time off Mitchell Starc. The all-rounder slashes it between gully and backward point. Clearly, the young man is not being bogged down by the huge pressure that he and the team finds itself in. India are on cusp of going past the score of 200.

India vs Australia Day 3 Live: Reddy stars with a bang!

Nitish Reddy is the next man in and gets a four on the fourth ball that he plays. It’s a flighted delivery from Lyon and Reddy drives it straight to mid-off. The young man has been in great touch. Can he play his best knock of his career so far today?

India vs Australia Day 3 Live: GONE!

India have los the wicket of Rishabh Pant! That is going to hurt. 

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3 Live: Runs for Jadeja

Jadeja finally opens his account today with a single off Cummins in the 53rd over and then gets a four too in the next over from Boland with a glance off a poor delivery. India needs more of these. And there you have it, Australia will introduce spin next over 

India vs Australia Day 3 Live: FOUR!

At the end other, Pant is not shying away from going for the boundaries once in a while. This time he pulls Boland for a four. It was a short ball and angled in, and Pant treats it with absolute smartness. Crucial runs for India. 

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3 Live: India struggle

Back to the game, the Indian batters are having a troubled time. The commentator mentioned that there are no demons in the pitch and the conditions are suitable for batting. But Pant and Jadeja are not finding it easy. In fact, Jadeja is yet to score a run today. He also had a mix up with Pant. The last thing India need now is a run out!

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3 Live: What if India Draw

If India lose both games, they are out of WTC final race. If India draw both games, they can still qualify for the WTC final. In that case, they must hope that the Sri Lanka vs Australia series ends in a 0-0 draw

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3 Live: What if India Lose at MCG and win at Sydney

Scenario 2: India Lose in Melbourne and win in Sydney

Pakistan defeat South Africa 2-0 in the away series

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3 Live: WTC equation

So, now and important explanation. India’s WTC final chances. First what if India win this match and the next one in Sydney:

India are currently in the top three in the Race to WTC final, with South Africa and Australia holding the top two position. If India win the Melbourne and the Sydney Tests, they will enter the Final. The results of the ongoing South Africa vs Pakistan Test series and the Sri Lanka vs Australia series (in January-February) will not matter for India then. 

IND vs AUS 4th Test Day 3 Live: Review wasted

Third over of the day and Rishabh Pant charges down for a four at mid-on off Pat Cummins. The next ball, Australia take a review against the India star. It was a back of a length rising delivery, and Pant let it go. Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey thinks there might be a bat involved. Pat Cummins goes for it but the review is wasted! India are not complaining.

4th Test Day 3 Live: Maiden!

Scott Boland is the man from the other end for Australia. Jadeja is facing him and is being prodded in all ways possible! He is getting the away movement, and Jadeja is in two minds on occasion. It’s a maiden! The first half an hour will be crucial for India. Not losing wickets in this duration will be the key!

India vs Australia 4th Test Live: Good movement!

Pat Cummins runs in for the first over of the day and gets good movement! Pant even gets the edge on one but the ball does not carry to the slips and instead finds its way to the boundary! That’s lucky and India would take it with both hands! Every run counts from here on. India still need 107 runs to avoid a follow-on.

IND vs AUS 4th Test Live: It Starts!

And we are about to start! It’s a bright sunny day in Melbourne! The Australian players are already in. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja are entering the field. The whole of India are hoping this pair fires today!

4th Test Day 3 Live: Follow-on Possible?

Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant will start the proceeding for India on Day 3. The first task for the Indian duo will be to ensure that the team goes past the follow-on score for which the Rohit Sharma-led side needs 111 runs more

India vs Australia Live: Match Summary

So, this has been the story so far: 

Australia batters plundered runs at will and posted a mammoth 474 in the first innings after a well-crafter 140 from Steve Smith. India were expected to give an apt reply and they did start promisingly. But three wickets of Yashashvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli and Akash Deep in the space of just six runs meant that India are on the backfoot going into the third day!

IND vs AUS Live: Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the third day of the India vs Australia 4th Test. It’s the Moving Day! The course that this match will take might well be decided today!