Reddy's fighting century keeps India in Border-Gavaskar series

Siraj kept Cummins out before Reddy drove a ball over the head of mid-on to bring up his hundred, before celebrating by planting his bat into the ground and hanging his helmet from the handle.

Cameras panned to his father, Mutyala Reddy, who had been shown praying throughout the innings and looked an emotional wreck when his son was in the 90s.

“He is saying for our family it is a very special day,” Reddy’s uncle told Fox commentator Adam Gilchrist in a translation for Mutyala. “We cannot forget this day in our life.”

Sundar said Reddy’s innings would be remembered for years to come.

“Very, very happy for Nitish. He got an unbelievable hundred. I’m sure this will be remembered forever,” Sundar said. “Playing against Australia in Australia, you’re always going to be put under challenge. You’ve got to be ready to fight through those challenging situations.

“They came in quite hard. We just made sure we didn’t lose any wickets, especially in those spells. He is mentally very, very strong. The way he went about his business today was amazing. I think we’re in a good position.”

Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc appeared to be nursing a back complaint during the day but continued to bowl without luck or wickets, finishing with figures of 0-86 from 25 overs.

The fact Starc continued to bowl eased concerns he had suffered a serious injury, but a three-day turnaround between the Melbourne and Sydney Tests might prompt selectors to consider bringing in a fresher paceman. Boland, who talked down the injury, said he admired Starc’s ability to play through pain.

Reddy’s score was the highest by an Indian No.8 batsman in a Test in Australia. He now boasts the second most runs in the series, behind only Travis Head, with 284 runs at 71.

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“He’s obviously a very nice player and does well in the IPL,” Boland said. “He’s doing well here in Australian conditions as well. He looks like he’s got pretty much every shot in the book. He’s playing really nicely. He’s trying to put the pressure back on us.”

Centuries from No.8 are uncommon, but India’s Ravi Ashwin managed triple figures batting at No.8 five times between 2013 and this year. It was the first time in Tests that an Indian No.8 and No.9 have faced more than 150 balls each in the same innings.

India have been well-supported throughout the Test but their fans had never been louder than on Saturday as Reddy and Washington wrestled back momentum.

The attendance of 83,073 was the largest day three crowd for a Boxing Day Test, taking the total match tally to 255,462.

If Thursday belonged to Sam Konstas and Friday was Steve Smith’s day in the sun, Saturday was Reddy’s chance to show everyone he truly belonged at Test level.

Konstas will bat again on Sunday, with Australia likely to chase quick runs in pursuit of victory. But the events of Saturday have given India added belief.

“We keep fighting no matter what,” Sundar said. “That has been instilled in us.”