31 January 2025

Australia vice-captain Steve Smith took a stunning catch at first slip to give Australia the crucial wicket of Nitish Kumar Reddy. Smith, who usually has great hands, showed excellent awareness at slip to end Reidy's short stay at the crease.

It was an excellent ball from junior pacer Nathan Lyon who bowled the ball outside the off-stump. The ball did not turn enough as Reddy looked to defend on the front foot. As a result, the ball took the outside edge of his bat and headed toward Smith's left.

Steve Smith went low to his left and completed a brilliant reflex catch with both hands under the ball. It was an excellent piece of bowling and fielding from Australia that led to this wicket.

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Watch: Steve Smith pulls off a stunning decision to sack Nitish Kumar Reddy

Steve Smith has always been known for his great efforts and he refused. One of the outstanding catches in his career. He is an expert in fast and spin bowling.

Meanwhile, this was a big wicket for Australia, as Nitish Kumar Reddy was excellent with the bat throughout the series. The young player has been very consistent with the bat and has contributed crucial runs in India's order.

Nitish Kumar Reddy is the centurion in the first innings

Nitish Kumar Reddy slammed his maiden Test ton in the first innings of the Melbourne Test. His knock came at a time when India were under immense pressure to avoid the follow-on.

However, he showed excellent temperament and resilience and played the situation perfectly by mixing caution with aggression. Reddy started positively but later changed his playing style depending on the situation.

He formed an excellent 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar to take India to a safer position. Reddy smashed 114 off 189 deliveries and hit 11 fours and one six during his knock.

Nitish Kumar Reddy's wicket opened the floodgates for Australia as they moved towards India's tail. It was also Lyon's first wicket of the innings and the jubilation on his face revealed the story.

Australia is wrapping things up quickly

India's seamers tried their best but could not withstand the relentless Australian bowling attack under difficult conditions on the final day. Nathan Lyon picked up the final wicket of Mohammed Siraj to end things for the home team.

Australia faced a tough ask to pick up seven wickets in the final session to win the match. It looked tough in the beginning as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant were batting well. Both batsmen looked well placed before Rishabh Pant died trying to fire a big shot over tracker half-half Travis Head.

Pant opened the floodgates for Australia and they stormed through and overthrew the lower order of India and the tail. Australia now lead the five-match Test series 2-1 with one more match to be played in Sydney.

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