[WATCH]- Steve Smith Takes A Stunning Catch To Dismiss Nitish Reddy On Day 5 Of BGT 2024-25

Nathan Lyon struck a key blow for his team on Day 5 (Monday, December 30) of the fourth BGT 2024-25 Test in Melbourne, dismissing Nitish Kumar Reddy to shift the momentum in Australia’s favour. Steve Smith took a sharp diving catch at slip, giving Lyon his first wicket of the innings.

The dismissal came in the 63rd over as Lyon was in the midst of a probing spell. Reddy attempted to defend a ball pitched on off-stump but only managed a thin edge through to slip, where Smith made no mistake. Lyon now had four wickets in the match, adding to his three from the first innings.

You can watch the video here:

Do not go anywhere, this Test has turned up a notch!

Steve Smith with a beauty 😱 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/cgJeQSGcRK

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 30, 2024

The Indian seam-bowling all-rounder played a superb counterattack in the first innings, scoring his maiden century. His knock of 114, along with a 127-run partnership with Washington Sundar, helped reduce the lead to 105, preventing India from falling behind by over 200 runs.

“We need to act based on the situation”- Nitish Kumar Reddy before Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test

Before the crucial Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test, the 21-year-old expressed that India should avoid putting pressure on themselves because the pitch could behave unpredictably, and they should approach the run-chase with a thoughtful strategy. Reddy stated, as reported by ICC:

“We’ll come back strong, we’ll rectify the mistakes we made in the first innings. We have to first take the last wicket and then bat accordingly. I feel like you need to get one or two good partnerships.”

“From the first day, we knew the movement was there, the pitch is doing something. Later on, on the fourth day, it was doing a bit more. We don’t need to put more pressure (on ourselves). We need to go instinctively, according to the situation.”

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