Young all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar led a day three rearguard Saturday as India battled back to 326-7 in the fourth Test against Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In overcast conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Reddy posted a maiden Test half-century and was 85 not out before light rain caused tea to be called 15 minutes early.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sundar was equally defiant on 40 off 115 balls in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 105 to leave India still trailing by 148 runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The pair batted through the second session in largely untroubled fashion, passing the follow-on mark and seeing off the second new ball to frustrate the home side, who have been in the driving seat since posting 474 in their first innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They held up Australia's push for a win that would put them 2-1 up going into the fifth and final Test in Sydney next week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Batting at number eight in an Indian line-up that has largely struggled for runs, Reddy has been a shining light in his debut series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 21-year-old's 264 runs have come at an average of 66, although he had fallen narrowly short of 50 on several occasions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He mixed resolute defence with some classical straight-bat stroke play in facing 119 balls, scoring eight fours and a six -- the eighth time he has cleared the ropes this series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sundar, who missed the second and third Tests, was recalled primarily for his off-spin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 25-year-old survived a freakish chance when he was on 18.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Attempting to flick a leg-sided delivery from Mitchell Starc, the ball flew from the back of the bat into the slip cordon where a diving Steve Smith spilled a one-handed opportunity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India lost Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in the first session, advancing from 164-5 overnight to 244-7 at lunch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Seamer Scott Boland, who taken 3-49, removed the aggressive Pant for 28 off 37 balls before off-spinner Nathan Lyon accounted for Jadeja for 17.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pant's slightly streaky knock ended when he over-balanced while attempting a ramp shot for six, top-edging the ball to third man where Lyon held the catch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jadeja batted more doggedly, taking 18 balls to score his first runs of the day, before playing back to a Lyon delivery that skidded on and trapped him lbw.<\/p>\r\n\r\n