India held out for a draw against Australia in Sydney, in the third match of their four-Test series. The series is in deadlock at 1-1 with the deciding match being played in Brisbane from Friday.
The Indians were set a target of 407 in the fourth innings. However, they negotiated 131 overs for the loss of only five wickets when the game was called off as a draw.
The heroes of the Indian resistance were Cheteshwar Pujara, Risabh Pant, Hanuma Vihari, and Ravi Ashwin.
Pujara soaked up over 200 balls for his 77, with Vihari facing 161 balls for his undefeated 23. Ashwin finished unbeaten on 39 off 128 balls.
In contrast, Pant narrowly missed out on a century, falling to Nathan Lyon for 97, off only 118 balls, a swashbuckling innings, especially given the way his teammates batted.
India had been set 407 after Australia had declared at 312/6 in their second innings on the fourth day.
Former Australian captain Steve Smith was named man-of-the-match for his century in the first innings and 81 in the second.
It was a bad game for current Australian captain and wicketkeeper, Tim Paine. He dropped three catches on the last day and was fined for dissenting against an umpiring decision and will be under pressure ahead of the final Test match.