Rookie Reddy shines with century to rally India in Melbourne test

MELBOURNE :In an electrifying Boxing Day clash led by youngsters, rookie all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy celebrated a stirring, maiden century to give India hope against Australia on day three of the fourth test on Saturday.

The 21-year-old sent Indian fans into delirium as he strode forward to thump Scott Boland over mid-on for four to raise his hundred late in the day, bringing tears to the eyes of his overjoyed father in the Melbourne Cricket Ground crowd.

Reddy strode off unbeaten on 105 when bad light and rain brought stumps an hour early, with India 358 for nine, still trailing Australia's first innings 474 by 116 runs.

Tailender Mohammed Siraj was two not out but enjoyed one of the day's biggest cheers when he blocked out Australia's paceman-captain Pat Cummins for three balls.

That allowed righthander Reddy, stranded at the non-striker's end on 99, to complete his ton in the next over.

Playing in his fourth test, Reddy planted his bat in the turf, put his helmet over the handle and saluted the sky as a huge crowd of 83,073 gave him a standing ovation.

The MCG fans have now seen two young stars rise this test, with Australia's 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas producing a thrilling knock of 60 on day one of his debut.

India's 25-year-old number eight Washington Sundar also produced an important 50 as he and Reddy combined for a 127-run partnership and defied the Australia's bowlers for more than a session.

Nathan Lyon broke the partnership by having Sundar edge to Steve Smith at slip before Jasprit Bumrah fell for a duck, edging Cummins to Usman Khawaja in the slips.

Australia developed an injury concern before tea, with paceman Mitchell Starc pinching at his back with an apparent muscle strain.

A team physio attended to Starc