
India vs Australia (IND vs AUS) 3rd Test Day 5 Highlights: A resolute Ravichandran Ashwin and a hamstrung Hanuma Vihari battled pain and a hostile Australian bowling attack while displaying the largely extinct art of Test-saving batsmanship to snatch a remarkable draw for India after Rishabh Pant raised visions of an improbable win at Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.
Earlier, Australia was firmly on course for a victory in the third Test after getting rid of a dangerous Rishabh Pant and the rock-steady Cheteshwar Pujara, reducing India to 280 for 5 at Tea in pursuit of 407.
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India now needs 107 runs to win but, in all probability, will be looking to survive in the final session of the match to salvage a draw. Pant (97) and Pujara (77) added 148 runs for the fourth wicket in an amazing counter-attacking partnership before their dismissals put India in a spot with an injured Hanuma Vihari (4 batting) in the company of Ravichandran Ashwin (7 batting) engaged in an arduous battle.
Earlier on Day 4, openers Shubman Gill (31) and Rohit Sharma (52) were winkled out by the Australian pace attack in the final session, leaving Cheteshwar Pujara, who had scored nine not out, and skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who was unbeaten on four, to continue the fight. With no rain forecast for Monday, the tourists face a long day batting on a deteriorating wicket if they are to avoid going 2-1 down in the series before they head to Brisbane for the final Test.
3rd Test, SCG, Sydney, 06 Jan, 2021
"I thought we created enough chances to win the game, this one's a tough one to swallow. Our bowlers were superb, Lyon bowled well. Just that we (especially me) didn't hold onto our catches. Looking forward to Brisbane. We didn't play our best in the last two games, but we were somewhat good with the bat in this Test. There were a few positives for us, our bowlers created plenty of chances. Today was a whole-hearted effort from the boys, just that things didn't go our way. I think having two young kids (Pucovski and Green) playing Test cricket, it's a great thing as they were sensational. I thought Green was fantastic yesterday."
"Our talk coming this morning was to show character and fight till the end. Not to think about the result. Really happy with the way we fought especially today but also throughout the game, even in the first innings when Australia were 200 for 2 and getting them all out for 338 was really good. There are few areas we can improve on but special mention to Vihari and Ashwin. The way they batted in the end and showed character was really good to see. Credit to him (Pant). We made that strategy but in the end it is all about the player executing the plan."
Steve Smith says: "India fought really hard. Our bowlers did their hardest. We felt few kept a low on day three, but there was not much today. Always means a lot when you score a hundred for your country. Looking forward to play the next Test in a few days time. Absorbed the pressure when needed to, just watched the ball hard and concentrated well."
With their over three and a half hour-long stay in the middle, Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin snatched a victory from the hosts. Both batted till the end and deprived Australia the victory.
Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin reached their historic 52-run partnership off 247 balls. Three overs to go from here. Hanuma Vihari has survived the Aussie attack for more than 3.5 hours.
More than 125 overs in the fourth innings. This is most number of overs India have faced in the fourth innings of an away Test since 1980.
Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin are all set to create history here at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Day 5 of the third Test. India are just a five overs away from saving the Test and taking the series 1-1 to the fourth and final Test at Brisbane starting from January 15.
Australian skipper Tim Paine, who was busy in sledging R Ashwin, dropped an easy catch of Hanuma Vihari. This is his third drop today. Vihari pushes at it and gets a thick outside edge. The keeper dives to his right and goes for a one-handed catch, but shells it. While on the other hand, India batsmen Vihari and Ashwin continue to remain resolute. 8 overs to survive.
Words exchanged between Tim Paine and Ashwin in the last over. Been a mental for a long time now this! Ashwin to Paine : “when you come to India that will be your last series”. Score after 122 overs, IND- 319/5
How many times have you seen a batsman batting on 124 balls, doubling his score in one over? Hanuma Vihari, take a bow. What an innings this has been, batting on one leg. Score after 121 overs, IND- 319/5 | 88 needed off 11 overs
Australia still searching for five wickets and a bit of frustration creeping in. Watch-
Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin have negotiated over 200 balls between them. Very matured innings Vihari..takes lots of guts to play this innings against those Aussie quickies. A display of real grit from both the batsman. Score after 118 overs, IND- 305/5 | India need 102 more runs to win
Vihari 7* (108) gets a run after what seems like an eternity while giving him company is Ashwin 24* (85). Holding the fort for India. Vihari batting with a hamstring injury, Ashwin batting after getting a blow near the ribcage. Australia looking for wickets to wrap it up but India won't give in yet. Score after 116 overs, IND- 301/5 | India need 106 more runs to win
An interesting passage of play as both batsmen continue to show great character in the middle. Vihari is digging deep here with 6 off 100 balls. Did you know this is the second-lowest strike-rate facing 100 balls or more in Test innings? Score after 112 overs, IND- 299/5 | India need 108 more runs to win
Marnus Labuschagne with his leg-spin is back into the attack. Remember, he picked up the ninth wicket during the 2019 Ashes series at Manchester. Will he do the job for the Aussies today? Not really, as Ashwin plays a quiet over. Score after 112 overs, IND- 299/5 | India need 108 more runs to win
Ashwin drives one pitched up delivery towards mid-off and the next one is hit past the backward point. Welcome runs for India. Score after 108 overs, IND- 299/5 | India need 108 more runs to win
"Pitch tampering, sledging, and now nasty bodyline bowling. Like 2 Harold Larwoods bowling from both ends. Also, if DRS wasn't available, we were done by now. If India saves this Test, I would rate it equivalent to 3 wins," says Shweta on Twitter.