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Sat, 28 December 2024
4th Test Updates: Reddy hits ton; India 358/9 at close
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Nitish Reddy celebrates his maiden Test century
12:35 Reddy hits ton; India 358/9 at close
India 358-9 (116 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Play has been called for the day because of bad light. The match will start early on Day 4 at 4.30am IST to make up for the time lost today due to bad light and rain.
The day belonged the young Nitish Reddy, who stole the show with a maiden Test century at No 8 to help India bounce back from a desperate situation.
India fought back to reach 358/9 in 116 overs, trailing Australia by 116 runs.
Walking in at the fall of the team's sixth wicket with just 191 on the board in reply to Australia's first innings total of 474 all out, the 21-year-old Reddy made an unbeaten 105 off 176 balls, and was involved in a record partnership of 127 for the eighth wicket with Washington Sundar (50 off 162 balls).
Courtesy of Reddy's superb knock, India not only avoided the follow-on but also managed to inch closer to the Australian total after starting the day 310 runs in arrears and with their top five batters back in dressing room.
Reddy reached the three-figure mark with a fine lofted shot over mid-on off Scott Boland, and his father's presence at the MCG made it even more memorable for the youngster.
12:30 Tune Into The Stumps Show!
Nitish Reddy led India's stunning fightback, hitting his maiden Test century on Day 3 of the fourth Test at MCG on Saturday.
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Nitish Reddy celebrates his maiden Test century
12:13 Reddy scores maiden Test century
India 358-9 (116 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
It looks unlikely we could have any further play as it has now started to rain at MCG. The groundstaff are now bringing out the covers as the pitch is being covered.
The Indian dressing room will be buoyed by Reddy's maiden Test century which has kept their hopes alive.
Nitish Reddy celebrates his maiden Test century
12:13 Reddy scores maiden Test century
India 358-9 (116 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
It looks unlikely we could have any further play as it has now started to rain at MCG. The groundstaff are now bringing out the covers as the pitch is being covered.
The Indian dressing room will be buoyed by Reddy's maiden Test century which has kept their hopes alive.
11:57 Bad light stops play on Day 3
India 358-9 (116 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Lyon back into the attack, He is bowling from round the wicket as Reddy picks a single off the third ball to deep square leg.
Siraj comes forward to defend but is beaten on the outside edge as he plays inside the line.
The next ball again goes straight as Siraj gets the edge this time which flies past the slip fielder for two runs and he blocks the last ball.
The play has stopped because of bad light as the players are forced off the field.
India are 358/9 in 116 overs with Reddy walking off to a standing ovation after a superb knock of 105 from 176 balls. Some of the Australian players also come up to congratulate him after getting to his maiden century.
Nitish Reddy
11:52 Reddy 3rd youngest to hit maiden Test ton in Aus
India 355-9 (115 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Reddy on strike against Boland. He defends the first ball on the off-side. The next ball swings in sharpy to beat Reddy on the inside edge and strike him high on the pads.
Reddy lofts the third ball straight back over the bowler's head for a four to complete his century in grand style from 171 balls, with 10 fours and a six.
This is 21-year-old Reddy's maiden Test hundred and his father is quite emotional in the stands as he sheds a few tears of joy.
Reddy also celebrates with team-mate Siraj as he removes his helmet and kneels on the ground before pointing at the sky above.
At 21 years, 216 days, Reddy becomes the third youngest to score a maiden Test century in Australia after Sachin Tendulkar (18 years, 256 days in the Sydney Test in 1992) and Rishabh Pant (21 years, 92 days in the Sydney Test in 2019).
Reddy slashes the fifth ball over the off-side for a single and Siraj keeps out the last ball.
11:45 Cummins strikes; India 9 down
India 350-9 (114 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Cummins back into the attack. He starts with a bouncer to Bumrah, who manages to sway out of the way.
Bumrah defends the second ball before he edges the next, straight to Usman Khawaja at first slip to fall for a duck.
India 9 down with Reddy on 99 at the other end. Siraj has to survive the last three balls of the over.
Siraj is beaten first ball on the outside edge before he ducks under the bouncer. The last ball is pitched and Siraj watchfully blocks it out.
11:39 Sundar out for 50; India 8 down
India 350-8 (113 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Reddy not thinking about his century as he hits Boland into the gap at covers and turns down the single. He needs just three runs to get his maiden Test hundred but he is playing for the team.
He keeps out the next few deliveries before trying to take one off the fourth ball but Bumrah refuses the single.
Reddy offers no shot to the fifth ball as Boland goes wide. He has a big swing off the last ball as he ball is miscued over the off-side and he goes back for the second.
Reddy realises what he has done after completing the second run as that brings Bumrah on strike for the next over.
11:34 Sundar out for 50; India 8 down
India 348-8 (112 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Reddy eases his way to 97 with a single off Lyon down to long-on. Lyon ends Australia's long wait for a wicket as he gets the wicket of Sundar with a brilliant delivery.
He gets the ball to bounce and turn as Sundar looking to defend gets the edge and is caught by Smith at slip.
Sundar walks back after a patient innings of 50 from 162 balls, putting on 127 from 285 balls for the eighth wicket with Reddy to rescue India.
11:27 Reddy, Sundar revive India
India 347-7 (111 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Sundar watchfully plays out a maiden over from Boland. The deficit has come down to 129 runs as the young duo slowly build India's total.
Reddy misses the fine sweep off Lyon as the ball goes off his pads. He calmly drives the flighted delivery from Lyon to long-on for a single.
In the next over, Reddy inside edges Boland for a single on the leg side and Sundar leaves the next followed by a block back to the bowler.
He leans forward to defend the last ball into the off-side.
11:17 Sundar hits fifty; India fight back
India 345-7 (108 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Reddy has cut down on his aggressive approach in this session. He is not taking any risks and is just looking to spend time at the wicket.
The wicket has improved considerably and the bowlers are not getting much assistance even with the second new ball.
Lyon bowls a quiet over as he concedes just a single to Sundar with Reddy playing four dots in a row.
Boland bowling in a good channel just outside the off-stump to Sundar, who keeps out the first five balls before he is beaten off the last ball.
The two Indians showing a lot of patience in this session. Reddy plays a nice straight push off Lyon for a single to mid-off.
Sundar steals a quick single to mid-off and complete a solid from 146 balls -- his fourth in Tests.
Reddy sweeps Lyon behind square on the leg side for a four to take his score to 94 and inch closer to his maiden Test century.
Washington Sundar
11:09 Reddy, Sundar revive India
India 338-7 (105 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Sundar flicks Starc through midwicket for a single on the leg side and Reddy doesn't want to chase the wide deliveries, especially so close to his century.
Four leaves in a row before Star comes closer to the stumps and Reddy defends it on the off-side.
Spinner Nathan Lyon back into the attack in place of Marsh. Sundar punches the short wide delivery in the gap through the covers for three runs.
Reddy clips Lyon with the spin to deep square leg for one and Sundar takes one off the next.
A single off the last ball takes Reddy's score to 89 -- the highest score by an Indian batting at No 8 or below in Tests in Australia beating the previous record held by Anil Kumble, who made 87 in the Adelaide Test in 2008.
Boland comes back into the attack. He gets the back of length delivery to swing in sharply into Reddy, to strike him high above the pads and he blocks the last ball.
10:53 Reddy, Sundar revive India
India 331-7 (102 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Reddy goes after the full wide delivery from Marsh as it comes off the outside half but in the gap between point and gully for a single to thirdman.
Sundar guides the ball off the outside half towards gully and leaves the last three balls as Marsh goes wide.
In the next over, Reddy nearly edges behind as he chases the wide delivery angled across by Starc. The youngster learns from his mistake and offers no shot to the last three balls as Starc keeps bowling wide.
Sundar gets a thick inside edge off Marsh which goes through the leg side for two runs and he keeps strike with one from the last ball.
10:40 Reddy, Sundar rally India
India 327-7 (99 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Play resumes at MCG after the rain interval.
Mitchell Marsh starts off with the ball in the post-tea session. The first ball is slanted across left-hander Sundar, who offers no shot and does the same next ball.
Another wide delivery which is ignored and he does the same for the last three balls for a maiden over.
Mitchell Starc from the other end. Reddy leaves the first ball and defends the next before he is beaten going after a wide yorker.
Reddy taps the fourth ball into the covers for a single before Sundar avoids the bouncer and blocks the last ball.
Nitish Reddy
10:20 Play to resume at 10.30am IST
India 324-7 (96 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Play will resume at 4pm local time (10.30am IST) if there is no further rain.
India will be looking to continue in the same vein and keep the scoreboard moving along.
India have staged a great comeback to reach 326/7 in 97 overs, trailing Australia by 148 runs.
Reddy has led the charge with a sparkling knock of 80, while Sundar has made a solid 40, with the duo putting on 105 runs so far.
10:15 Rain stops play; India 326/7 at tea
India 324-7 (96 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
The covers have been taken off as the umpires conduct an inspection of the conditions.
We should have soon an update on when play would resume after the rain break.
Nitish Reddy
09:28 Rain stops play; India 326/7 at tea
India 324-7 (96 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Out of nowhere, rain has stopped play at MCG. There was forecast for some rain during the third day's play and it has arrived now to disrupt proceedings.
India are in much better position than at the start of the day, taking their score to 326/7 in 97 overs as the umpires call for an early tea.
Reddy has kept India's hopes alive, stroking a magnificent 85 from 119 balls, while Sundar has made a patient 40.
The duo have put on 105 runs from 195 balls for the eighth wicket to bring India back into the contest.
09:20 Reddy-Sundar put on 100-run stand
India 324-7 (96 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Starc back into the attack. He starts with a half-tracker which Sundar hammers through the covers for a boundary.
This is the record eighth wicket partnership for India at MCG, as the duo take their partnership to 94 from 176 balls.
That is the first boundary for Sundar after 103 balls faced. He has shown remarkable patience to revive India on the third day, playing the perfect supporting role for Reddy.
Mitchell Marsh back into the attack as he replaces Lyon. He oversteps to concede a no-ball before Reddy flicks Marsh uppishly as Starc dives forward but fails to get to the ball at fine leg to concede a four.
The last ball is short and wide as Reddy punches it through the covers for another four.
That boundary raises the 100-run stand for the eighth wicket from 188 balls.
This is now the third highest eighth wicket partnership for India in Tests in Australia.
09:08 Reddy hits fifty; India go past 300
India 311-7 (94 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Reddy hits Lyon through midwicket for a single to bring up India's 300, in the 92nd over.
Singles off the next two balls as the duo continue to keep the scoreboard ticking along.
Another tight run as Sundar taps Lyon on the off-side and Reddy calls him across for a quick single.
The field is spread out for Reddy against Lyon with quite a few men patrolling the boundary including thirdman for the reverse sweep.
He does well to slap the spinner square on the off-side for a couple of runs.
Lyon tosses it up a little bit as Reddy smashes it uppishly through the covers for a boundary.
08:59 Reddy hits fifty; India go past 300
India 298-7 (88 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey standing up for Boland. Reddy suffers another blow on the right elbow as the pacer extracts some extra bounce from length.
He shuffles across and attempts the reverse scoop but misses and is struck on the pads.
The ball was comfortably going over the over the stumps as Reddy is hit way above the pads as they decide against the review.
The last ball is pitched up as Reddy plays a cracking straight drive for a wonderful boundary.
Lyon back into the attack with the new ball around nine overs old. Sundar watchfully plays out a maiden over from the spinner.
Boland starts his new over with a bouncer as Reddy sways out of the way before pushing the next to point for a single.
Boland from round the wicket beats Sundar with one that slants away to go past the outside edge.
Nitish Reddy
08:45 Reddy hits fifty; India avoid follow-on
India 294-7 (88 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Scott Boland back into the attack in place of Starc. The first ball is a wide half-volley as Reddy plays a handsome drive through the covers for three runs.
Boland gets the length ball to move away and beat Sundar on the outside edge as he attempts to defend.
He then takes a risky single after Travis Head misfielded at mid-off as India's indecisive running between the wickets continues.
Reddy tries to drive the last ball but it goes off the inside half past mid-on for two runs.
India have made a good comeback to reduce the deficit to 180 runs. Australia will be desperate to make the second new ball count and make the breakthrough.
Another wicket gets them in the tail and gives them the chance to finish off the innings quickly.
India will be aiming to reduce the deficit as much as possible and keep themselves in the contest.
08:33 Reddy hits fifty; India avoid follow-on
India 284-7 (86 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Sundar gets the leading edge as he tries to clip Starc off his pads. He square drives the next ball past point for three runs and Reddy picks a single on the off-side.
Sundar plays another sweetly-timed flick through midwicket but the ball still doesn't reach the boundary. However, the two young batters do well to sprint across for four runs.
The runs have come quite freely against the new ball with 22 coming from five overs with the second new ball.
Cummins concedes just a single to Reddy in his 25th over.
The eighth wicket partnership is now worth 63 runs as India inch towards 300.
Nitish Reddy
08:24 Reddy hits fifty; India avoid follow-on
India 275-7 (84 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Reddy completes his maiden Test fifty as he lofts Starc over the off-side for a couple of runs, from 81 balls.
He again hits the next ball uppishly past mid-off for two more runs.
In the next over, Sundar slaps Cummins through the off-side for three runs to raise the 50-run stand for the eighth wicket.
A single each to Reddy and Sundar as India avoid the follow-on.
The last ball is full and swings into Reddy, who is struck on the pads, but the confident shout for leg before is turned down.
Australia have one review but they decide against the DRS as the ball could have gone over the stumps.
08:13 Reddy, Sundar take India past 250
India 264-7 (82 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Starc back into the attack to bowl with the brand new Kookabura. Sundar keeps out the first couple of deliveries before he nearly perishes in bizarre fashion.
Looking to glance the full delivery down the leg side, Sundar gets hit on the back of the bat, with the ball flying to the slips where Smith makes a superb attempt but can't hold on.
Starc bowls a full delivery which Sundar defends before he avoids the last two balls.
Pat Cummins with the new ball from the other end. The first ball bounces quite steeply as Reddy defends before he is beaten by some away swing.
Reddy drives Cummins uppishly as he clears the fielder at mid-off for three runs.
Sundar gets the edge trying to defend Cummins and again the edge dies down, well short of Labuschagne at third slip.
08:06 Reddy, Sundar take India past 250
India 261-7 (80 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
With Australia trailing by five overs on the over rate, part-time offie Head comes back into the attack to bowl an over or two before the second new ball.
Head quickly rushes through the over as India pick three singles from it.
Lyon also quickly finishes his 18th over, bowling a maiden over to Sundar before Head concedes a couple of singles in the next.
Australia not wasting any time as they take the second new ball immediately after 80 overs.
07:57 Reddy, Sundar take India past 250
India 256-7 (77 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Cummins continues to pepper Reddy with the short ball. The right-hander fends the first ball into the off-side before he is beaten on the outside edge next ball, with the full delivery, which moves away late.
Another cracking short ball as Reddy gets his head out of the way and does the same two balls later.
In the next over, Sundar hits Lyon straight into the fielder at short leg as Head is struck on the leg. He defends the next couple of balls before taking a single to midwicket followed by two more off the last two balls.
Nitish Reddy
07:50 Reddy, Sundar take India past 250
India 253-7 (75 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Cummins starts off with the ball for Australia in the post-lunch session. He leaves the first ball before he awkwardly fends a sharp rising delivery on the leg side, away from the short leg fielder.
He gets the outside edge next ball but well short of the slips and flicks the fourth ball to midwicket for a couple of runs followed by a single.
The last ball bounces quite steeply as Reddy is struck on the arm trying to defend.
Lyon from the other end. Sundar gets the first ball past point for a couple of runs and then takes a single to bring up India's 250.
Reddy doing well to tap the off-spinner into the vacant region for an easy single.
Sundar gets the edge as he leans forward to defend with the ball going wide of the slip fielder for two runs.
Nathan Lyon celebrates the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja.
07:05 Aus in control; India 244/7 at lunch
India 244-7 (73 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Australia continued to chip away at the wickets to take complete control on Day 3 at MCG on Saturday.
India were struggling on 224/7 in 73 overs at lunch on the third day, having lost Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in the morning session.
Pant gave his wicket away attempting a reckless scoop shot, to be caught at thirdman off Scott Boland for 28.
Ravindra Jadeja was dismissed leg before wicket by Nathan Lyon for 17 as India lose two wickets, while scoring 80 runs in 27 overs in the first session.
Nitish Reddy kept India afloat as he stroked an unbeaten 40 from 61 balls, with three fours and a six, while Washington Sundar was not out on five.
They still trail Australia by 230 runs.
Boland picked 3/37 in 17 overs, while Cummins claimed 2/70 and Lyon bagged 1/50 to keep Australia on course for a huge lead.
06:58 Jadeja out for 17; India 7 down
India 243-7 (72 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Reddy taps Cummins into the off-side for a quick single and Sundar gets hit on the gloves as he looks to defend but just short of wicketkeeper Carey, who dives to his left.
Reddy looking in good touch. He slaps Lyon through the covers for three runs as the spinner drops short.
Sundar takes a single through the covers and Reddy picks one off the fifth ball.
With the over rate at -5, Australia look to speed up things, with part-time spinner Travis Head coming into the attack with five minutes left for lunch.
Reddy takes a single on the off-side and Sundar takes one off the fourth ball.
Reddy comes down to take Head on the full, lofting the spinner over mid-off for a four to take his score to 40.
06:48 Jadeja out for 17; India 7 down
India 231-7 (69 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Reddy taking the attack to Lyon. He comes down the track to loft the spinner over long-on for a six and drives the next to long-on for a single.
In the next over, Cummins nearly takes Reddy's head with a fiery bouncer which keeps climbing and swinging into him. He does well to get his head out of the line at the last second.
Another short ball as Reddy avoids it again with the ball going down the leg side.
Two men back for the pull shot for Reddy as Cummins is targetting him with regular bouncers.
Another short ball from round the wicket from Cummins as Reddy avoids it.
Sundar happy to bat cautiously and let Reddy look after the scoring. He defends the first four balls from Lyon before taking a single to long-off and Reddy takes one from the last ball.
06:33 Jadeja out for 17; India 7 down
India 222-7 (65 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Starc tries the short ball to Reddy, who misses the pull shot. He defends the next few balls before taking a single off the last ball to retain strike.
Reddy keeps it simple against Lyon, watchfully playing out a maiden over from the spinner.
Starc errs with his length as Jadeja flicks the overpitched delivery through midwicket for a four and takes a single next ball.
Reddy keeps the scoreboard moving over with another run off the next.
The ball seems to have gripped a bit as Reddy clips it uppishly past short leg for a single.
Lyon wins the battle against Jadeja. The left-hander misses the clip off the quicker delivery and is given out leg before wicket.
Jadeja takes the review but the ball is clipping the top of the stumps as the decision stays with umpire's call.
Jadeja walks back for 17 from 51 balls as India slip to 221/7.
Washington Sundar off the mark with a single from the last ball of the over.
Rishabh Pant
06:20 Reckless Pant gifts his wicket away!
India 213-6 (61 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
India scored 39 runs in 12 overs in the first hour on Day 3. The wicket of Pant was a big blow for India's hopes, who are now 271 runs behind Australia's first innings total. They will hope the all-rounders can continue to bat as long as possible and reduce the deficit as much as possible.
A quiet over from Lyon as Jadeja and Reddy pick a single each from the spinner's eighth over.
The young Reddy has been one of the finds of the series. He plays another cracking straight drive off an overpitched delivery from Starc for three runs.
Jadeja risks a quick single to mid-on as he makes his crease to beat the direct hit from Cummins before Reddy taps the last ball into the covers for another run.
Reddy comes down the track to Lyon but gets the thick outside edge which flies wide of the slips for two runs before he takes one to long-on.
06:06 Pant out for 28; India 6 down
India 203-6 (58 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Reddy and Jadeja take a single each off Lyon before the former plays a beautiful straight drive off an overpitched delivery for a four.
He taps the last ball into the off-side for a single to retain strike,
Starc for the first time on Day 3. He is bowling from round the wicket to Reddy, who leaves the first two balls, before he is beaten on the outside edge as Starc gets the ball to angle away late.
Reddy goes after one away from the stumps, as it goes off the outside half past gully for a four to bring up India's 200, in the 58th over.
Scott Boland celebrates
05:54 Pant out for 28; India 6 down
India 191-6 (56 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Pant guides the short wide ball from Boland behind point for a couple of runs before he backs away quite late, citing some movement near the sightscreen.
Pant then shuffles across and looks to scoop Boland over fine leg but fails to make connect and is hit on the body.
He attempts the shot again next ball but this time gets the top edge and is caught at thirdman for 28.
A third wicket for Boland as Australia continue to chip away at the wickets.
Nitish Reddy gets off the mark with a quick single from the last ball of the over.
05:47 Pant, Jadeja steady India
India 189-5 (55 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Time for spin as Lyon comes back into the attack for his second spell. Pant flicks the first ball in the gap at midwicket for two runs and gets a single next ball as whips it off his pads.
A huge appeal for leg before wicket against Jadeja, who plays back to the slider who skids straight on. Australia have a quick meeting before deciding not to review it as the ball looked to be going down.
That would have stayed with the umpire's call as the ball was clipping the leg stump.
Jadeja stays back to the next ball which is pitched up and blocks the last ball.
05:43 Pant, Jadeja steady India
India 186-5 (54 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Boland starts his new over with a short ball as Pant plays a thumping pull shot for a boundary through square leg.
He defends the next ball and leaves the short ball which is down the leg side.
Pant taps the fifth ball in the gap at midwicket for an easy single and Jadeja defends the last ball.
Pant looking good against the short ball as he plays another pull shot off Cummins for a single.
Jadeja nudges the Aussie skipper with soft hands on the leg side for one, his first run of the day after 17 dots in a row.
Nearly another run out. Pant taps the last ball to mid-off and wants a quick single to retain strike but Jadeja is unmoved. Pant has to hurry back as the fielder at mid-off misses the direct hit.
In the next over, Jadeja glances Boland fine on the leg side for a four.
05:27 Can Pant save India on Day 3?
India 175-5 (51 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Pant gets lucky as he edges Boland but it goes between second slip and gully for a single to thirdman. That was loose from Pant as he tried to run it down to thirdman.
Nearly another run out as Jadeja taps the ball to mid-off and is halfway down before he is sent back halfway down. Pat Cummins swooped in quickly to his left at mid-off but misses the direct hit.
Extra bounce for Boland as Jadeja does well to defend it.
Cummins continues as Pant gets it square on the off-side for a single before the Australia captain switches to round the wicket.
He tries a bouncer at Jadeja who ducks under before he tries another short ball as the left-hander avoids it.
05:17 Can Pant save India on Day 3?
India 173-5 (49 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Scott Boland from the other end as Australia get Marnus Labuschagne closer at third slip wearing helmet. A lot of the edges have stayed low and not carried to the regulation slip cordon.
Ravindra Jadeja blocks the first ball on the leg side and does the same next ball followed by another defensive shot on the off-side.
He keeps out the last three balls as Boland starts off with a maiden over.
Pant shows intent as he comes down the track and lofts Cummins over mid-on for a four.
The next ball bounces quite steeply as Pant leaves but Australia believe it has nicked the gloves, making them take the review.
But the ball has gone off the elbow as Australia lose their second review.
Pant defends the next ball followed by a leave as Cummins again gets extra bounce. He pulls the fifth ball for a single and Jadeja keeps out the last ball.
05:08 Can Pant save India on Day 3?
India 168-5 (47 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Pat Cummins starts off with the ball for Australia on Day 3. The first ball is angled across Rishabh Pant, who offers to leave, and blocks the next.
The third ball is bowled on length and moves away to beat Pant on the outside edge as he leans forward to defend.
Pant again pushes forward but this time he edges the fourth ball but the ball stays low and goes between the third slip and gully fielder for a four followed by leaves off the last two balls.
Rishabh Pant
04:55 Can Pant save India on Day 3?
India 164-5 (46 ovs) vs Aus 474 | Scorecard
Welcome to the coverage of Day 3 of the fourth Test between Australia and India at MCG on Saturday.
India's hopes of making a comeback on the third day depend largely on Rishabh Pant after a late collapse on Day 2 on Friday.
India suffered a disastrous run-out and Scott Boland took two wickets to leave the tourists in major trouble at 164/5 on day two, after another Steve Smith century helped Australia post an imposing 474.
Smith, having scored a drought-breaking 101 in the drawn third Test in Brisbane, reprised his role as India's tormentor-in-chief with a record 11th century against them on the way to 140 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In reply, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (82) and Virat Kohli (36) combined in a sturdy 102-run partnership after tea to give the tourists hope of reeling in Australia's total.
That was until Jaiswal suffered a brain-fade late in the session, hitting the ball straight to Australia captain Pat Cummins and calling for a single that was never there.
Kohli sent him back and Cummins threw to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who whipped off the bails leaving Jaiswal to trudge off in agony in front of a mammoth crowd of 85,147.
If the run-out opened the door for Australia, recalled paceman Boland ripped it off its hinges, having Kohli nick behind on one of the rare occasions the Indian veteran's bat strayed from his body.
Boland then dismissed Akash Deep for a duck when the nightwatchman edged onto his pads, with Nathan Lyon diving forward to take a sharp, low catch.
That left Ravindra Jadeja (four not out) and Pant (six not out) to mount a huge rescue mission, with India still trailing by 310 runs and needing 111 to avoid the follow-on.
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