The two players did not only save the team from a follow-on, but also carefully sculpted a match-turning partnership. The 127-run partnership between the two players bought life back into the game.

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The game-changing partnership for the 8th wicket was of 127 runs, which was not fazed by the massive stockpile of runs in front of them. They worked together and helped India escape the follow-on and reduced a massive amount of the enormous first-inning deficit. As early stumps were called on Day 3 with India closing on 358/9, the team also got some benefit from rain and poor lighting.

Fans are tensed that the weather might ruin the remaining two days, especially after rain disrupted play on day three. In the surprise of the fans, there is very little danger of rain on Day 4. According to weather.com, the chance of precipitation is at 5% after an hour of the day’s play.

There are no strong chance of heavy rain for the day. However, it does go up to 10% by 2:00 PM local time. As a result, spectators might expect continuous game throughout the day as the players provide the fans the value for their money.

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The batting all-rounder returned unbeaten on 105 at stumps on Day 3 after stitching a crucial 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar for the eighth wicket to take India to 358/9 in reply to Australia’s 474.

As Reddy completed the century, Gavaskar, who was sitting in the commentary box, gave him a standing ovation and showered praise on the 21-year-old

“This is the first Test hundred and he is going to score many more in the near future. I am expecting to see him among the runs in the future. He is a star of the Indian cricket,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

“However, he will have to remember the sacrifices made by his father and other members of the family. Nitish is here because of the Indian cricket and he will have to make sure that he doesn’t take Indian cricket for granted. If he stays true to himself, a successful career lies ahead of him,” Gavaskar added.

Reddy’s resilient century was studded with 10 boundaries and a maximum as India successfully avoided the follow-on threat and kept Australia at bay throughout the day’s proceedings.

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Reddy’s unbeaten 105 took India to 358/9, still 116 runs short of Australia’s first innings score of 474 as rain brought an early end to the third day’s play.

With the flat MCG deck not offering much to the bowlers, saving the Test match shouldn’t be a big deal for the Men in Blue from this position.

Reddy’s combative spirit and the invaluable 127-run stand he shared with Washington Sundar (50 off 162 balls) proved to be the turning point for the hosts.

The 21-year-old Andhra batter could have been left stranded on 99 when Jasprit Bumrah got dismissed, leaving Reddy with last-man in Mohammed Siraj, who walked in to another round of boos and faced 3 deliveries from Australia skipper Pat Cummins.

A picture-perfect straight drive off Scott Boland was the moment of the series for India as Reddy balanced his helmet with the bat and took a knee, expressing his gratitude towards the Indian dug-out which gave him a standing ovation. Sitting in the stands near the boundary, Reddy’s father Muthyala broke down when his son achieved the milestone.

Reddy has been by far India’s most consistent batter in the series and the maiden Test century couldn’t have come at a more opportune time and that too at an iconic venue.

It will be interesting to see how far can the duo of Reddy and Siraj take India’s total to on the fourth day of the Melbourne Test.

The post Nitish Kumar Reddy’s incredible maiden century keeps India afloat on Day 3 of Melbourne Test appeared first on Cricket Country.

Nitish completed his maiden Test century by playing a fine knock and scoring 10 boundaries and a six. The 21-year-old formed a brilliant 127-run partnership with fellow all-rounder Washington Sundar, who also played a valiant knock of 50 before getting dismissed.

At one stage it looked like Nitish wouldn’t be able to complete his ton and would finish the innings unbeaten on 99 as India were on the verge of getting bundled out at 350/9. However, the youngster cleared all such doubts by smashing pacer Scott Boland for a boundary, reaching his century in fantastic fashion.

Following this heroic knock, fans on social media couldn’t help but shower praise on Nitish, who had shown immense maturity and given India a fighting chance in the match by helping them avoid the follow-on.

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It was batter Shubman Gill, who was dropped from the team for the fourth Test following below-par performances in the second and third Test. Gill had also not participated in the first Test due to a thumb injury.

Former Australia cricketer Mark Waugh wasn’t very pleased with this selection and stated that the Indian team booted Gill out because they wanted another spin option.

“When Shubman Gill hurt his finger, they were desperate to bring him in, and now they have booted him out, and wanted an extra bowling option. Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy both can bowl and obviously Gill can’t,” Waugh said.

On the other hand, India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar defended axing Shubman Gill from the Boxing Day Test, saying it was in team’s best interest to not only have Rohit Sharma back to his usual opening slot, but also to add power to their spin attack with Sundar.

“Yes, Rohit will come up in the order and more likely than not, he will open the innings. That was the thought process. Unfortunately for Gill, just how things spanned out, he had to miss out,” Nayar said.

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Rohit has been going through a rough patch in red-ball cricket as of late and in the 3 innings that he has so far batted in the ongoing Australia series, he has only managed to score 19 runs.

Ahead of the fourth Test in Melbourne, Rohit was seen taking on spinners in the nets. Padikkal was joined by fellow spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in testing the batter. Padikkal, who only played one Test match in this series, in Perth, beat Rohit with a delivery that kept low and, creating a possible scenario of a LBW.

Following his disappointing knock in the Brisbane Test, legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar said that Rohit will himself relinquish the captaincy if his poor run of form continues in the final 2 matches of the series.

“I think Rohit obviously will get the opportunity to play in the next couple of matches, that’s for sure. But maybe at the end of it, if he hasn’t scored runs, my feeling is that he himself will take the call,” Gavaskar had told ABC Sports.

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However, legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar believes that young all-rounder Washington Sundar is already ahead of Ashwin. The former did play for India in the first Test of Border-Gavaskar series in Perth, however was dropped in the second Test and replaced by Ashwin.

“Maybe Washington Sundar is ahead of him. Rohit mentioned that he is flying out tomorrow. So, this marks the end of Ashwin as an international cricketer. He has been one heck of a cricketer,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by PTI.

Gavaskar wasn’t quite happy with how Ashwin announced his retirement midway through the crucial series against Australia as he believes that India could have needed his experience later on in the series.

“So, Sydney is somewhere where there is a lot of support on offer for spinners. So India could have played with two spinners. You never know. He could have been there for sure. I don’t know how the pitch in Melbourne will be like. Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That’s it. In the middle, it is not usual. Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That’s it. In the middle, it is not usual,” Gavaskar said.

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Ashwin was one of the greatest cricketers of his time, as he had played 106 matches, scored 3530 runs and taken 537 wickets. This might be the very reason why a lot of fans, commentators and experts were shocked when he suddenly made this unexpected call on Wednesday.

When Ashwin was seen hugging Virat Kohli in the dressing room on Day 5 of the Gabba Test, people started interpreting and making rumours about this. Ashwin then accompanied Rohit Sharma to the post-match conference where he declared his retirement and left. Although a lot of people have thought it to be shocking, it seems that Ashwin has given it careful thought, and the spinner will go back home on Thursday.

Why did Ashwin announce retirement?

Jadeja secured his spot in MCG
The first reason might be that Ravindra Jadeja secured his place in India’s starting lineup for the remainder of the series. Even though he has not been sufficient with the ball, it looks like Jadeja will be selected first, even if the spinners may recieve some help.

Sundar picked over Ashwin
When talking about Ashwin’s retirement, Sunil Gavaskar stated that Washington Sundar might be higher in the selection than the seasoned spinner. Sundar also appears to be the favourite of new management.

No home Tests series till August 2025
Ashwin has a spectacular record in India. Now since Jadeja is the obvious choice for foreign conditions and Sundar entering the scenario, Ashwin might have felt it to be better to leave at this point.

The post Ravichandran Ashwin Retirement: Three reasons why Star all-rounder chose to retire his international career appeared first on Cricket Country.

Washington went on to his ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter) account, and shared a heartfelt message for his mentor.

.@ashwinravi99 🐐🤍 pic.twitter.com/z4VlTpVf4M

— Washington Sundar (@Sundarwashi5) December 18, 2024

“More than just a teammate – Ash anna, you have been an inspiration, a mentor and a true champion of the game. It’s been an honor to share the field and the dressing room with you,” Sundar wrote in his post. 

“Coming from the same state of TN, I have grown up watching you from the close corners of Chepauk to playing against you and alongside you. Every moment has been a privilege. The learnings, both on and off the field are something I will carry with me forever. Wishing you success and happiness in whatever comes next,” the post further read. 

Both Sundar and Ashwin are with India during tour of Australia for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where Sundar was the part of first Test, and Ashwin came in the second Test.

Ashwin featured for India in 106 Test matches, including his last appearance in the pink-ball Test of the ongoing five-match Test series against Australia. He has bagged 537 wickets and also scored 3503 run. He also ended his international career as the only Test cricket player who has claimed more than 500 wickets and six centuries in the longest format of the game.

The post ‘Grown up watching you…’: Successor of Ravichandran Ashwin writes Emotional message for his ‘Mentor’ after his retirement appeared first on Cricket Country.