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Young all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar led the rearguard on the third day on Saturday as India fought back to 326-7 in the fourth Test against Australia.

In overcast weather at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Reddy played his first Test in half a century and was 85 before light rain led to tea being called 15 minutes early.

Sundar was equally defiant with 40 off 115 balls in an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 105, still leaving India trailing by 148 runs.

The pair battled largely untroubled through the second session, passing the catch-up mark and releasing the second new ball to frustrate the home side, who had been ahead since scoring 474 in their first innings.

They maintained Australia’s push for a win that would give them a 2-1 lead heading into the fifth and final Test in Sydney next week.

As number eight in an Indian team that largely struggled for runs, Reddy was a bright spot in his debut series.

The 21-year-old’s 264 runs resulted in an average of 66, although he had missed just under 50 on several occasions.

He combined resolute defense with some classic straight-bat-stroke play as he faced 119 balls, scoring eight fours and a six – the eighth time he has cleared the ropes in the series.

Sundar, who missed the second and third Tests, was recalled primarily because of his off-spin.

The 25-year-old survived a strange chance at the age of 18.

Trying to block a strike from Mitchell Starc with his leg, the ball flew off the back of the bat and into the barrier, where Steve Smith missed a one-handed chance on the bounce.

India lost Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in the first session and improved from 164-5 overnight to 244-7 at lunchtime.

Seamer Scott Boland, who took 3-49, removed the aggressive Pant for 28 off 37 balls before off-spinner Nathan Lyon added Jadeja for 17.

Pant’s slightly erratic stroke ended when he lost his balance while attempting a ramp shot for six and top-edged the ball to the third man, where Lyon held the catch.

Jadeja fought more tenaciously and scored his first runs of the day in 18 balls before playing back to a ball thrown by Lyon, who slipped and trapped him on the left side of his body.

Scattered showers were forecast for the rest of the afternoon.