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.

Lyon goes over the wicket to Siraj. Catchers crowd the No. 11. Slip, short leg, silly point.

Lyon, round the wicket. Leg slip the only catcher.

Rajiv: "I can't recall rooting for any player in recent memory to score a century as much as I have for our find of the tour, Nitish Reddy. The man can absolutely bat, of that there is no doubt. Such a shame he ran out of company in the 40s four times in the three tests so far, or he could've possibly scored his 1st century sooner. Bravo, bravo, bravo. We might still lose or win this series, but he has spared us utter embarrassment in the company of the rock-solid Washington Monument at the other end."

Hello, hello. Melbourne is on its feet, and the noise is all-engulfing. Boland steams in.

Right, back to KK. Enjoy.

Silly point comes in

Extra slip comes in

Mohammed Siraj, Nitish Reddy needs you. Rain is only minutes away

Cummins brings himself on. Here's Alex: "Dark clouds looming west of the MCG over the Ponsford Stand. Will be heavier than the last one according to the radar."