Reddy-made hundred rescues India against Australia and lights up the MCG | Cricket news

The Indian youngster hits a maiden Test century to bring balance to the third Test in Australia.

India seem to have found a new gem in Nitish Kumar Reddy who has brought up a sensational first Test 100 to keep his team alive in the fourth Test against Australia.

The number eight's scintillating 105 underpinned India's first innings 358-9 in reply to Australia's 445 in front of a sell-out crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, including his teary-eyed father.

At 221-7, the risk of a follow-on loomed large for India, but the all-rounder forged a 127 partnership with Washington Sundar (50) in a spectacular rearguard stand to rescue the tourists.

With India's last batsman Mohammad Siraj at the other end, Reddy went on to bring up his maiden Test hundred with a four against Scott Boland.

The 21-year-old knelt down, rested his helmet on the handle of his bat and pointed to the sky as his father wiped away tears of joy in the stands.

“It's a special day for the family. We will never forget that day,” Reddy senior, who quit his job to help shape his son's career, told Fox Cricket.

“Since only Siraj was left, we were very, very tense. I prayed for him.”

Reddy left a strong impression on his first tour. He scored 41 and 38 not out in his series-opening Test debut in Perth, and his 42 in the drawn-out second Test in Adelaide was the highest by an Indian player in both innings.

India were in dire straits when Reddy came out to bat at the MCG on Saturday and again responded with a counter-attacking strike that neutralized much of Australia's advantage.

Reddy fulfilled his dreams of playing alongside Virat Kohli and received his first Test cap from his idol.

“I was calculating my age to see if he won't retire when I make my debut for India,” the all-rounder said ahead of his Test debut.

Reddy is now India's highest run-scorer, second only to Australia's Travis Head, despite playing as a lower-middle-order batsman.

Reddy's eight sixes in the series so far are the most by an Australian tour player, level with England's Michael Vaughan and West Indian Chris Gayle.

The tidy seamer also has three wickets, but former India coach Ravi Shastri said Reddy deserves to be ranked higher.

“I would like to beat him in the top 6,” Shastri told Star Sports. “Then you (India) can play five bowlers and get the balance of the team right.

“The team management has to trust him. Put him in the top six, he's as good as anyone with his technique, his ability to play quick and spin.''