Sat Dec 28 02:10:00 UTC 2024: ## Rain Disrupts Play as India Fights Back on Day 3 of Boxing Day Test
**Melbourne, Australia:** Rain and fading light prematurely ended play on Day 3 of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). India, resuming their innings at 173/5, battled hard against the Australian attack, reaching 326/7 at stumps. Despite the setback, India managed to narrow the deficit, with Australia maintaining a lead of 148 runs.
The day saw a crucial partnership between Washington Sundar (40*) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (85*), who added 105 runs for the eighth wicket. Reddy’s knock marked his maiden Test half-century. Earlier in the day, India lost wickets early, with Rishabh Pant (28) and Ravindra Jadeja (17) falling to Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon respectively. Mitchell Starc struggled to make an impact for the Australian bowling attack.
India’s fightback prevented Australia from enforcing the follow-on, keeping the match alive heading into the final two days. The series is currently tied at 1-1 after Australia’s win in Adelaide and India’s victory in Delhi. This Melbourne test holds significant importance for both teams in the context of the World Test Championship Final. The persistent rain raises questions about whether the match will reach a conclusive result.
First Piper 