Third Test Draw, Australia Clinch Series

Melbourne: Australia drew the third test in Melbourne with India on Tuesday, sealing the four-match series 2-0. India were 174-6 after being set 384 to win.

Australia regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy after lost in 2013 in India.

Virat Kohli's aggression extended to the press briefings and became the biggest talking point of this match, Australia's Ryan Harris limited his to the playing field to end with a match haul of 6 for 110 to go with a crucial 88-ball 74 in the first innings to help the home team clinch the series 2-0 with a draw at the MCG.

The result means that India have lost six consecutive Test series outside Asia since 2011.

Ajinkya Rahane (48) and Kohli (54) resisted, similar to what they had done in the first innings with a record 262-run stand for the fourth wicket, for more than one session before Harris removed Kohli off the first ball after tea. The batsman flicked an innocuous length delivery straight to Joe Burns at square, thus putting to rest any chance of India pushing for a famous win.

Harris had earlier drawn first blood by removing Shikhar Dhawan on duck with an incoming delivery. Instead of Cheteshwar Pujara, India sent in the debutant KL Rahul at No 3 but for the second time the youngster fell to an ambitious shot, top-edging Mitchell Johnson to a running Shane Watson from the slips, while Josh Hazlewood prised out Murali Vijay to leave India 19 for 3 in second session.

Rahane, who looked in good touch during his three-hour long stay, lost his concentration with 15 overs remaining, handing a simple catch to Shaun Marsh at midwicket. MS Dhoni and Ashwin played out the tricky last hour of play, taking India to 174 for 6 before both captains agreed on a draw.

India, to their credit, were competitive in patches throughout this Test but lacked a combined team effort. Runs in both innings came from only Rahane and Kohli while for Australia, in-form skipper Steven Smith (192) was ably supported by Chris Rogers (57, 69), Brad Haddin (55), Harris (74) and a very crucial 99 from Marsh in the second innings.

With a lead of 326 overnight, Marsh moved from 62 to 99 before he was cruelly run out by a diving Kohli from mid-off, and thus came the declaration at 318 for 9.

Brief scores
Australia - 530 (Smith 192, Harris 74, Shami 4-138) and 318/9d (Marsh 99, Rogers 69)
India - 465 (Kohli 169, Rahane 147, Harris 4-70) and 174/6 (Kohli 54)
Result - Match drawn

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand - 3rd ODI 1st Test - Australia v India - November 22-26, 02:00 GMT 1st Test - West Indies v Bangladesh - November 22-26, 14:00 GMT 3rd T20I - Australia v Pakistan at Hobart Australia won by 7 wickets (with 52 balls remaining) 5th T20I - West Indies v England at St. Lucia No results

Related links

India tour of Australia 2014-15 News

SCG Test Draw, Aussies Clinch Series [+]

India clung on for a tense draw with three wickets left to deny Australia their third victory of the series in the fourth Sydney Test on Saturday.

Smith, Burns Put Australia in Control [+]

Joe Burns and Steve Smith scored quick-fire fifties as Australia raced to 251 for six and a lead of 348 over India before rain stopped play at the end of the fourth day of the fourth test on Friday.

Kohli, Rahul Ton Leads India's Strong Reply [+]

Fourth century by Virat Kohli (140*) and KL Rahul (110) maiden ton lead India's fightback on day 3 at SCG on Thursday.

Australia on Top after Smith Joins Greats [+]

Steve Smith joined the greats Wednesday with his fourth century of the series as India hung in after the shock loss of an early wicket on the second day of the final Test in Sydney.

Again Batsmen Gives Australia Great Start [+]

David Warner kissed the ground in Phillip Hughes's memory to lead an Australian run spree with an emotional century on the opening day of the final Test against India on Tuesday.

SCG Set For an Emotional Finale Test [+]

The memory of Phillip Hughes in the Australian when they take on India in final Test at SCG starts from Tuesday.

Starc Replaces Johnson for 4th Test [+]

Australia have confirmed that injured Mitchell Johnson has been replaced by Mitchell Starc.

Dhoni Retires from Test Cricket [+]

Indian captain decision effective immediately, Kohli to lead in final Test at SCG.

Third Test Draw, Australia Clinch Series [+]

Australia drew the third test in Melbourne with India on Tuesday, sealing the four-match series 2-0. India were 174-6 after being set 384 to win.

Marsh set up Big Task for India [+]

An unbeaten half-century by Shaun Marsh put Australia in a strong position on Monday, setting India a near-record task if they are to win the third Test in Melbourne.