Australia vs India 3rd Test 5th Day report: Indian batsmen hold a remarkable draw.

 

Thanks to a superb batting effort, the Indian Cricket Team hold on for a remarkable draw on the fifth and final day of the 3^rd Test match played at Sydney Cricket Ground, SCG on Monday.

Starting on the overnight score of 96 for 2, it was not an ideal start for the Indian Team as Ajiyanka Rahane was dismissed by Nathan Lyon caught at short leg by Nathan Lyon. Rishabh Pant was promoted ahead of Hanuma Vihari. He started off slowly at the start and dropped twice by Tim Paine.

Pant took the attack to Nathan Lyon and put them under immense pressure with his aggressive shots. He looked in great touch making life tough for the opposition while Cheteshwar Pujara looked at his usual self by solid defensive technique and hit balls away for boundaries. Pant reached his fifty off 64 balls to put pressure on the Australian bowlers. It was an amazing batting display by both Indian batsmen as they ended the first session at 206 for 3.

The second session saw Pujara completing his half-century off 170 balls. Pant continued his attacking approach against Cameron Green and other Australian bowlers. Before the second new ball, Lyon made the breakthrough getting rid of Pant who tried to score his century giving a simple catch to Pat Cummins. Pujara and Pant added 148 runs for the 4^th wicket. Cheteshwar Pujara looked in great touch taking on the Australian bowlers. While running, Hanuma Vihari was hamstrung and could not run. The Australian captain Paine decided to take the 2^nd new ball after the 80^th over.

Vihari could not take any run due to problems but Pujara remained solid enough. Hazlewood produced a beauty to get rid of Pujara for a well made 77. Vihari and Pujara added 22 runs for the 5^th wicket. The Australian pace trio bowled sharp bouncers to Ashwin but remained solid as ever. India went into the tea break at 280 for 5.

 R Ashwin was given out by the umpire for a catch in the very first ball of the last session but decided to review the decision and was overturned as it hit the armguard. Ashwin was lucky enough against the hostile bowling of the Australian pace trio. On the other hand, Vihari remained calm by just blocking enough. Sean Abbott dropped a tough chance to get rid of Ashwin.

The Australian bowlers tried their best to break the partnership but showed their grit, fight. Paine dropped another chance to get rid of Vihari. Vihari remained not out on 23 off 161 balls while Ashwin not out on 39 off 128 balls. Both added unbeaten 62 runs for the 6^th wicket to ensure that India draws the Test match.

Australia 338 in 105.4 overs (Smith 131, Labuschagne 91, Ravindra Jadeja 4/62, Bumrah 2/66) 312 for 6 d in 87 overs (Cameron Green 84, Smith 81, Labuschagne 73, Saini 2/54)   India 244 in 100.4 overs (Gill 50, Pujara 50, Cummins 4/29, Hazlewood 2/43) and 334 for 5 in 131 overs ( Pant 97, Pujara 77, Ashwin 39*, Vihari 23*, Hazlewood 2/39, Lyon 2/114) draw

For his 212 runs, Steve Smith was named the man of the match award. The series is level at 1-1 with the final Test match to be played at Gabba, Brisbane from 15^th January.

 

Indian batsmen hold on for a remarkable draw