Pure gold

Nitish Kumar Reddy: Nitish Kumar Reddy silenced all doubters with a fantastic unbeaten knock of 105 as he, alongside a valiant half-century by Washington Sundar, stabilised India’s standing on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

With many questioning his inclusion over Shubman Gill after he was dropped for the incoming Sundar, Reddy’s resilient batting saw India end the day at 358/9 and reduced Australia's first innings deficit to 116 runs.

Alongside the many Indians showering the 21-year-old with praises, cricketing legends also took to social media to congratulate him on solidifying his place in the squad.