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Series level at 1-1

[caption id="attachment_39618" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Virat Kohli shaking hands with the umpire after the third Test ended in a draw. Image Source: BCCI[/caption] Internet Desk: A gritty knock from Peter Handscomb (72 not out) and Shaun Marsh (53 not out) denied India a win in the third test match at Ranchi. The draw meant that the series is wide open with everything to play for in the fourth and final test match at Dharamsala which starts from March 25. Starting the day at a nervy 23/2 in reply to India's 603/9 declared, Australia were 204/6 in 100 overs in their second innings when the two teams decided to end the proceedings. Handscomb and Marsh shared a 124-run partnership for the fifth wicket to guide Australia to a morale boosting draw after the embarrassing loss in Bangalore. The hosts got a huge boost, following the dismissal of Australian captain Steve Smith (21) and Matt Renshaw (15) in the morning. Marsh was eventually dismissed by India's bowling star Ravindra Jadeja, who continued his purple patch to finish with figures of 4/54. Handscomb, on the other hand, played the anchorman role to perfection and remained unbeaten after holding the fort for 200 deliveries. Ishant Sharma looked menacing with his spell of fast bowling in the first session but the Aussies managed to hold their ground in the last two sessions. The simmering tensions between the two sides have only added to the drama with today being no exception. There was animated chatter between Renshaw and Ishant in the latest round of verbal altercations before the Indian pacer had the last laugh by trapping the opener LBW. Having turned the tide yesterday, riding on Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha's marathon partnership, India were in contention for an unassailable lead in the series. However, Handscomb and Marsh absorbed the pressure with their calculated knocks to deny the hosts, who apart from the sizeable crowd, were also cheered on by former captain and local favourite Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was a major disappointment for the home team. He managed just one wicket in the second innings to go with his solo scalp in the first essay.