India's rearguard Blockathon | "Tested" the resilience of the Indian team in the face of defeat

What a Test match it has been - hats off to the resilience shown by the back end of a fine batting line up of the Indian Test team. Struggling with physical agony and a harsh opposition, who did not leave any chance to counterattack but failed at opportunities to take wickets with dropped catches. Today's draw was akin to a match winning performance and keeps hopes alive for India to go for the final Test match from 15 January and win the series or draw to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

In the final sessions, an unfit Hanuma Vihari and injured Ashwin gave due respect to the efforts of Cheteshwar Pujara and wicket-keeper batsman held ground and counterattacked the Austrlian bowling to help stitch the 3rd test to a draw.  Pujara batted in his composed style and mustered 77 runs off 205 balls for the visitors while Rishabh Pant, who got out to a glory shot while attempting a well deserved century, contributed with 97 for the Indians.

Between the 80th and 89th over of the last day today, the Australians had taken the initiative back from the Indians after removing both Pant and Pujara. However, what they never envisaged was the resilence of an injured Vihari and the exprience of Ashwin, that got India to manage a historic draw. Rishabh Pant made India believe that a win was possible, Pujara kept the hopes of a draw alive and Vihari-Ashwin honored the efforts of the batsmen.

Pujara reached 6000 test runs through this performance, which will be remembered by the Indian team for long. This Test match will also not be forgotten too soon by the Australian team, who had 36 overs with them to finish off India's tail that was plagued by injuries - had it not been for Ashwin and Vihari, who batted through 3 hours and 258 deliveries between them. A blockathon to remember.