Sydney Test: Pant, Ashwin heroics force Australia to settle for a draw at SCG

Rishabh Pant during his knock at the SCG on Monday. Image: BCCI

Norman Kochannek, Sydney: India showed true grit and determination in a Herculean batting effort led by Rishabh Pant (97) and Cheteshwar Pujara (77) to pull off a magnificent draw.

India resumed on 2 for 98 with Pujara and Rahane batting. Unfortunately Rahane was out after10 deliveries caught Wade and bowled by Lyon for 4.

That was the only wicket to fall until lunch with Pant (73) joining Pujara (41) and India 3 for 206.

Pant took the Australians on with a number of sixes before falling short of his century getting caught by Pat Cummins off Nathan Lyon for 97. Pujara followed getting a peach of a delivery off Josh Hazelwood bowled for 77. That left Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari at tea on 5 for 280 with the injured Jadeja in the sheds ready to bat for his country.

That was the last wicket to fall in the day as Vihari 23  off 161 and Ashwin 39 off 128 balls were resolute til the end of play.

This is the longest India have batted in the fourth innings of a Test outside of Asia since 1979. Epic victory when you consider no Kohli, Shami, Yadav and Ishant along with injuries to Jadeja, Pant and Vihari in the game. India should be very proud of their efforts in this game and the series to date.

The series is now leveled at 1-1 as both teams now head to Brisbane for the series decider.