Injured Vihari, Ashwin grind out a draw Sydney Test

Ashwin and Vihari added unbeaten 62-run for sixth wicket.

India 244 (Gill 50, Pujara 50, Cummins 4-29) and 334 for 5 (Pant 97, Pujara 77, Rohit 52) drew with Australia 338 (Smith 131, Labuschagne 91, Pucovski 62, Jadeja 4-62) and 312 for 6 dec (Green 84, Smith 81, Labuschagne 73)

Sydney: India bat for 131 overs in 4th innings to snatch draw third Test match at Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.

Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin led India to a sensational draw at SCG.

The duo bat throughout the final session, registering an unbeaten 62 run partnership.

The two teams will meet in Brisbane in final Test from 15th January with series levelled at 1-1.

Earlier, the 148-run stand between Rishabh Pant (97) and Cheteshwar Pujara (77) kept India in the hunt.

Pant braved injury to play a heroic knock, Pujara dropped anchor to frustrate Aussies.

Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin then braved out the bouncer barrage from the Aussies.

Vihari got an injured hamstring and couldn't run, Ashwin was hit more than a couple of times by short-pitched deliveries, but that did not deter them from getting behind the line even though that meant bringing their bruised bodies in the way.

That's what Test cricket is all about, not to give away even an inch to your opponents, no matter what.

The scorecard will show that Vihari faced more than 150 balls for less than 25 runs but won't show his resolute and brave defence.

Both Vihari and Ashwin braved out everything that the Aussies threw at them.

So two injured men (Pant and Vihari) played brilliantly for India today and the third injured player (Jadeja) was all padded up in the pavillion to bat if the need arose.

But that did not happen as Vihari and Ashwin defied the Aussies brilliantly.

Ashwin played Lyon brilliantly, had rock solid defence, went on the front foot and played the ball right under his eyes.

Vihari and Ashwin added only 62 runs for the sixth wicket but it was consuming 258 deliveries that made the difference.

The last Test India played in Sydney was also drawn. But at that time India were looking very good for a win till weather intervened.

Indian second innings lasted 131 overs: This is the most overs batted by India in fourth innings in a drawn Test since 1979. Most in this century and first time outside of India since 1979.