“He is saying for our family it is a very special day,” Reddy’s uncle told Fox commentator Adam Gilchrist in a translation for Mutyala. “We cannot forget this day in our life.”

Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc appeared to be nursing a back complaint during the day but continued to bowl without luck or wickets, finishing with figures of 0-86 from 25 overs.

The fact Starc continued to bowl eased concerns he had suffered a serious injury, but a three-day turnaround between the Melbourne and Sydney Tests might prompt selectors to consider bringing in a fresher paceman.

Reddy’s score was the highest by an Indian No.8 batsman in a Test in Australia. He now boasts the second most runs in the series, behind only Travis Head, with 284 runs at 71.

Centuries from No.8 are uncommon, but India’s Ravi Ashwin managed triple figures batting at No.8 five times between 2013 and this year. It was the first time in Tests that an Indian No.8 and No.9 had faced more than 150 balls each in the same innings.

India have been well-supported throughout the Test but their fans had never been louder than on Saturday as Reddy and Washington wrestled back momentum.

The attendance of 83,073 was the largest day three crowd for a Boxing Day Test.