New Delhi: Commendable efforts from Hanuman Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin helped India draw third test match against host Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Chasing a mammoth total of 407, India could score 334/5 till the end of final day of the match.
Vihari, who batted with a sore hamstring injury, showed great resilience as he scored 23 runs after facing 161 deliveries. Ashwin turned out to be a brilliant support for him as he remained not out for 39 from 128 deliveries even as he suffered multiple blows on his body.
India was put on a worthwhile position by contrasting Pujara and Pant who shared a 148-run-partnerhsip for the fifth wicket. Both of them scored half-centuries.
Pant played an exemplary knock scoring 97 runs off 118 balls with the help of 12 fours and three sixes. He was blocked from scoring his 3rd Test century by Nathan Lyon who in the second session. Meanwhile, Pujara -- who scored his second half-century of the match during his 77-run knock -- was bowled out by Josh Hazlewood.
India had started the innings on a good note with openers Shubhman Gill and Rohit Sharma scoring 31 and 52 runs respectively. However, lost middle wickets easily with skipper Ajinkya Rahane returning back to pavilion scoring merely 4 runs.
Australia had scored 338 runs in their first innings and had bowled out India for 244, which helped them attain a 94-run lead. The hosts had declared their second innings at 312/6, setting a 407-run target for the visitors.
Australia had won the Pink Ball test, played at Adelaide, by 8-wickets while India registered victory in the second test in Melbourne. With the third match drawn, the two teams remain levelled up at 1-1. Now, the 4th and the last match will decide beginning Friday at The Gabba in Brisbane will decide the series.
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