India has a new batting hero after 21-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy showed the poise of a veteran to score his maiden century, leading his team’s comeback against Australia on day three of the fourth test.

Nitish Reddy, an unknown entity in red ball cricket before the start of Border-Gavaskar series, virtually bailed India out with his dogged maiden Test century here on Saturday, severely denting Australia`s hopes of winning the Boxing Day contest.

Emerging India allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has scored a brilliant MCG century to frustrate a tiring Australian bowling attack in the Boxing Day Test.

A Marnus Labuschagne half-century and stubborn tail-end batting drove Australia to a 333-run lead at the end of day four in the fourth test in Melbourne on Sunday, leaving India facing a record chase to steal victory.

Australia took control of the fourth Test against India in Melbourne despite a sensational spell from Jasprit Bumrah on Sunday. The hosts were staring down the barrel at 91-6 and the lead not even past 200 before some sloppy fielding by India and remarkable determination from Australia's lower order took them to 228-9 by stumps on day four.

Teenage debutant Sam Konstas will bat for the second time in the Boxing Day Test after India were out for 369, giving Australia a lead of 105 at the MCG.