That's the end of a stunning innings from Nitish Reddy. But Australia have a lead of 105. Smaller than looked likely, but still very handy. Sam Konstas will be batting again shortly. Can Jasprit Bumrah have another say in this Test?

Cameron: "There's only one person in the entire ground that thinks that bounced after Siraj hit it. Understandable if they said inconclusive but that is a howler from the third umpire that decision was suspiciously rushed." Having watched more replays, does look more like an edge. Simon Taufel suggested the third umpire should have taken more time and looked at a side on super slow-mo.

Adam: "It's not so much the decision, it's that the 3rd umpire confidently said it conclusively hit the ground after only a few seconds. Needed much closer inspection at the very least..."

Sid Barnes: "The AUS response to the Nitish non catch has me a little concerned for the team mindset. Clearly not out on the replay. What possible hope could a review give when the same technology and people involved would make the call? Are they really that desperate?"

Mal: "It looked to me from the front-on view that the ball bounced just before making contact with the bat. The side-on angle looked like the ball bounced after making contact. The quality of the vision was awful, I'd be astonished if there wasn't better vision available. I'm OK with the eventual decision, but if we saw what the third umpire saw, he reached that conclusion way too quickly and with insufficient consideration."

More replays you see of that, more uncertain it becomes

Two slips

Nathan Lyon with the ball

Two balls for Siraj

Players on their way to the middle. Pat Cummins will take the ball

9.55am We are almost ready (or is that Reddy?) for the action

Nick: "As emotionally charged was yesterday, realistically only one team can win this. At best India need to escape (again) with a draw and tire out the Aussie bowlers for Sydney." Well, given their position yesterday that would be a like a win for them. Australia have to make this count.

9.50am It's never too early for some declaration speculation...

RK: "Big day for Siraj. First to do a job with the bat and stay there as long as possible. But then most importantly to stand up and be counted with the ball or his place would be in doubt come the SCG. Also would be great to see more overs from Reddy and Washington who can translate batting form into the bowling!"

Mitchell Starc speaking to SEN radio this morning: "All good. Pace didn't drop so I'm all good. I'm ready to go today."

9.45am At some point probably early in the first session, Sam Konstas will be at the crease again. Last night his batting coach spoke about the remarkable start he made to Test cricket - and that it came as little surprise.

9.40am There was a whole heap of pretty wild cricket yesterday: Pakistan have given themselves a chance at Centurion; Melbourne Stars didn't bother appealing for a run out of Sam Billings (and lost their fifth game); Afghanistan batted all day without losing a wicket against Zimbabwe; and Sri Lanka somehow lost the opening T20I against New Zealand.

Aayush: "A potentially great day in store! If the pitch does not drastically change, AUS has to make all the moves. They will look to wrap up with a lead over 100, then bat for 65 overs, and give themselves about 100 overs to bowl India out with a target of 375 on the board." - The sums for Pat Cummins, if it comes to that, will be very interesting.

Rob: "Barring a catastrophic collapse of either side, which would likely need a drastic change in the pitch in the last two days, this is going to be a draw." Still nearly 200 overs available in this game. Draw perhaps favourite, but a lot can happen

9.35am Confirmation that play will start at 10am today after the rain we had.

As Alex says, Australia remain in a strong position but there is just a feeling of having been here before...

In Brisbane in 2021 and in Delhi in 2023 they were in control of the game, until lower-order century stands dragged India back into the contest and to eventual victory

9.30am Hello everyone, welcome to the fourth day from the MCG. A stunning fightback from India yesterday, led by Nitish Kumar Reddy, and it has given them hope of at least a draw in this Test although Australia can still take a very handy lead. Andrew McGlashan and Karthik Krishnaswamy with you again for all the action.

Here's Alex from the ground: "It is a spectacular morning at the MCG. Clear blue sky. Warm but not hot. A maximum of 25 degrees. Light wind. Should be another big crowd today to watch a fascinating day. Australia are bossing the game but it doesn't feel like they are in as dominant a position as they are. The partnership between Reddy and Washington flattened them yesterday. But they are 116 runs infront, needing just one wicket before batting again. It will be interesting to see how they approach batting second time around. A lot of people are flowing in to watch Sam Konstas. India, and specifically Jasprit Bumrah, will undoubtedly recalibrate their plans to him."

5.46pm Play has been called off. We'll have an early start tomorrow, at 10am local time (4.30am IST). What a terrific day's cricket we've had. Pity we didn't get more of it, but the forecast for tomorrow is clear. Let's hope day four brings us more twists. As things stand, India trail by 116 with one wicket in hand. Australia are still in a dominant position here, with plenty of time left to try and convert it into a win. But Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar have ensured that other storylines remain possible. Do join us nice and early tomorrow. Until then, it's goodbye from me, Gnasher and Thilak.

Pradeep: "@PP - Chief of selectors Ajit Agarkar needs to select himself and repeat Adelaide 2003 for that to happen"

HarishV: "Let's be real. Psychologically if the deficit would have been less than 50, it would help us, but India is still susceptible to lose. Less than 100 deficit might still not help. "

Aadithi: "NKR from the start of the series has been saving India from embarrassment. I reckon India doesn't win the first Test without his heroics at the end of the 1st innings and this century is yet another potentially series-saving performance. "

5.38pm Alex Malcolm, from the MCG: "Big covers on. Ground staff are having trouble holding the covers down. It won't rain for that long but it will be tough to return before cut off."

And he also brings us the attendance numbers, which are incredible: "From CA: Day 3 crowd is 83,073. This is the largest Day 3 crowd ever for a Boxing Day Test. It is also the largest Day 3 crowd for an MCG Test since January 1937 (87,798 - Bradman 56* at stumps). Total attendance so far is 255,462. Record total attendance for a Boxing Day Test is 271,865 v England in 2013."

Pmdixit: "This Konstas thing is hyped up way too much. One T20 innings when he was getting beaten multiple times trying to play a Test innings, isnt something that should get all the attention. All of us are getting carried away by Australia media tactics to just create a hero."

PP: "A touch of over optimism here--how about India bundles out the Aussies in tomorrow's game and chases down the deficit for a thrilling win?"

Ramon: "I'm here in johannesburg. Seems the rain forecast is exactly the same as Melbourne. Anyone dwitching over the the SA vs IND MATCH in about 1 hours time can expect the day's play to be a washout"

Rohanil : "Aus have bowled almost same number of overs as India but difference in runs is quite huge. It was majorly caused by quick scoring by Konstas. What a debut!" -- There was some quick scoring from Smith too, particularly during his partnership with Cummins. And in general Australia's bowlers have shown better control as a collective.

5.32pm The pitch is under covers now, and more covers are coming on. The rain's fairly heavy at this point.

I knew the half-century celebration was from Pushpa. The century one, I am told, references Baahubali.

5.23pm The umpires have a look at the light meter, and they all go off the field. There's a bit of rain imminent too. Gives us time to take in all your comments.

Ruthwik : "If a player can make you (and from the incoming comments and commentators) forget about a crucial Test match in a crucial series and make even the opposition root for you to score a century then he's pretty special. These last 30 minutes have been so tense and exciting at the same time. Love Test cricket, the last time I felt this excited was watching Shamar Joseph bowl WI to a win"

KK Pannala: "NKR: I'm only believe on Siraj Bhai because game changer defensive player he is."

Nishikanth: "One Hyderabadi and another Sunrisers Hyderabadi . Oh boy !!! Keep this going for a while . I'm already ordering Hyderabadi Biryani . Just another reason to order my 4th Biryani this week. " -- As a fellow biryani enthusiast, do you actually need a reason?

Tom: "Sam Konstas first-class strike rate - 51, NKR first-class average - 23. Baffling" -- Just early career things. Particularly for players who start very young.

Jackwin : "Washington himself has a test HS of 96*. He deserves a Test 100 and for that he probably needs to come in at No. 3 from the near future." -- That 96* came in similar circumstances to NKR's hundred today. India were 365 for 7, and in a flash that became 365 all out. Siraj was the No. 11 that day too...

Gully comes in too.