IND vs AUS: Despite India's loss, Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy earn massive honours in MCG's Boxing Day Test

IND vs AUS: Despite India's loss, Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy earn massive honours in MCG's Boxing Day Test
Nitish Kumar Reddy and Jasprit Bumrah

Highlights:

Jasprit Bumrah picked up nine wickets in Boxing Day Test of BGT 2024-25.

Nitish Kumar Reddy smashed maiden Test ton in 4th Test vs Australia at MCG.

India batter Nitish Kumar Reddy and Jasprit Bumrah added their names to the prestigious Honours Board of Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne for their iconic performance in the Boxing Day Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. However, Australia defeated India in that fourth Test to take 2-1 lead in five Test match series. 

India vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is in the form of his life and he earned his place on the Honours Board with a magnificent five-wicket haul, showcasing his exceptional bowling skills. This was Bumrah's second five-wicket haul at the MCG and he is the only visiting bowler to take five wickets on the ground in the last 15 years.

Bumrah is currently the highest wicket-taker in the five-Test match series picking 30 wickets in four Test outings against Australia. The speedster is unplayable in the Australian conditions in the longest format of the game. In contrast, the rest of the Indian bowlers have managed 36 wickets at an average of 41.33. Following India's defeat in the Melbourne Test, where the 31-year-old fast bowler claimed a five-wicket haul.

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Apart from Bumrah, Nitish Reddy smashed who smashed his maiden Test century in a remarkable display of batting. Reddy's century not only marked a personal milestone but also contributed significantly to India's strong position in the match.

Nitish Kumar Reddy scored a maiden Test century that helped India recover from 191 for 6 in the first innings and shorten the deficit, while it once stared at follow-on. He scored a stupendous 114 off 189 balls.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) celebrated this achievement with a post on their official X handle, stating, "Magnificent 5 wicket haul Special Maiden 100. Vice Captain Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy's names are etched on the Honours Board of Melbourne Cricket Ground."

However, Australia clinched an 184-run victory over India in the Melbourne Test and took a 2-1 lead in the series, also ending India's chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord's early next year. Currently, Australia lead 2-1 over India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.