The India vs Australia Test series is living up to its hype. A maximum of just seven playing days left, and the series remains tied at 1-1, with no clear winner. The hosts should have ideally taken a massive lead in the Melbourne Test, but Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar had other things in mind.
Nitish Kumar Reddy & Washington Sundar lead Team India’s fightback
At 221/7 with Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant gone, and just Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to follow, the duo stitched up a brilliant 127-run stand, which ensured Australia couldn’t enforce the follow-on and kept Team India in the chase. Washington blocked everything while Nitish Reddy took an aggressive approach.
Reminding some of Cheteshwar Pujara, Washington scored a great fighting fifty in 162 balls. Grinding the Aussie bowlers down. In contrast, Nitish Reddy was on the charge. He ended the third day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) unbeaten at 105 (176). A maiden Test century for the debutant saved Team India from a potential series loss.
Rohit Sharma & Gautam Gambhir’s golden advice
After the day’s play, Washington lauded his captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir for keeping their faith in them and inspiring them to give all they can for the team. “One thing, especially with Rohit bhai (Sharma) and Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir), is that they keep telling us to fight no matter what. For India, in a ground like MCG, we will do everything,” the off-spinner told the press in Melbourne.
“They kept telling me that they believed in me and what I was capable of in this format. Very happy about it (his batting performance); it would have been better if I had scored more runs and not gotten out. But we are in a good position,“ Washington added.
