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Australia v India Third Test: India hold on for epic draw in emotion-fuelled Test

Australia and India will head to Brisbane with the series locked at 1-all, after the visitors’ batsmen produced a miraculous display on a day filled with injuries and serious sledging.

Peter Lalor and Adrian McMurray
Tim Paine reacts after dropping a catch off Hanuma Vihari. Picture: Getty Images
Tim Paine reacts after dropping a catch off Hanuma Vihari. Picture: Getty Images
14 min read
7:32AMJanuary 11, 2021.
Updated 8:50PMJanuary 11, 2021

Australia and India will head to Brisbane with the series locked at 1-all, after the visitors’ batsmen produced a miraculous display to draw the match on a day filled with injuries and serious sledging. Read how it unfolded below.

Adrian McMurray 6.15pm: India hold on for epic draw

Vihari adds another boundary off Starc, no further runs in the over. With one over to bowl, Paine pulls the pin: it’s a draw, India finishing 5-334.

What a day for India. Incredible display, particularly from Pant, Ashwin and the injured Vihari. Pujara also excellent. The Australian bowlers weren’t particularly bad, the Indian batsmen just had their measure. A few dropped catches will hurt the hosts, however. This sets up a brilliant final Test in Brisbane: Australia haven’t lost at The Gabba since 1988. Thanks for joining us: there will be plenty of coverage online and in the app tonight, as well as in tomorrow’s print edition. Bring on Brisbane!

Adrian McMurray 6.05pm: Two overs to play

Ashwin adds another boundary off Hazlewood, before running two – there seemed to be a bit of confusion, but they kept things going pretty comfortably in the end.

India 5-330 with two overs to play.

Adrian McMurray 5.58pm: Match heading for draw

Ashwin and Vihari are finding space around long on, but they’re not running – the draw is very much on here.

Vihari finds four around deep backward point, he moves to 19*. Ashwin 33*. Three overs to go, India 5-324.

Adrian McMurray 5.48pm: Five overs, five wickets needed

No ball from Starc – he has to be careful too, his foot was over by a long way.

Five overs to go, five wickets needed for Australia.

India 5-320.

Adrian McMurray 5.37pm: Paine trades barbs, drops catch

Paine’s chat to Ashwin is picked up on the stump mics, and Ashwin isn’t happy.

“Just wait until you get to the Gabba,” he says.

“We want to get you to India, it will be your last series,” Ashwin replies.

“At least my teammates like me, d..khead,” Paine says.

Jeez, it’s getting heated out there.

The next over, Paine drops Vihari off Starc’s bowling! Huge opportunity missed, it hits his right glove, the captain reaching to his right.

India 5-319 with a minimum of eight overs remaining.

Adrian McMurray 5.06pm: Test hangs in the balance

Vihari takes a single and India move to 300. Ashwin finds the boundary on the last ball before the drinks break off Hazlewood. This partnership has lasted 173 balls so far … India 5-305 at the drinks break, Ashwin 28*, Vihari 7*.

The equation is simple heading into the final hour of play: Australia need five wickets. There are 15 overs to be played. India need 102 for victory, or more likely they can hang on for a draw. Let’s do this.

Adrian McMurray 4.32pm: Can India hold on for a draw?

Ashwin and Vihari – on one leg – are proving to be stubborn to dismiss. Ashwin even hits a pair of consecutive fours off Lyon. Can India hold on for a draw? They couldn’t … could they? It’d be remarkable. India are 5-299, needing 108 for victory. There are 22 overs left to play.

Adrian McMurray 4.01pm: India dig in

Ashwin cops one in the ribs from Cummins – how much punishment can one man take?! Vihari can barely move down the other end. A defiant Ashwin finds the boundary and Sean Abbott almost pulls off an incredible diving catch at square leg. Lively Cummins over.

India sit at 5-289, Ashwin 15* and Vihari 4*. The tourists need 118 for victory.

Adrian McMurray 3.38pm: Chance for Cummins early in session

Here we go, Cummins to resume after tea.

And on the first ball of the session … Ashwin is gone! Or is he? He’s given caught, Paine taking the diving catch. Ashwin reviews, and it’s struck the arm guard, not the glove. The short ball looks like it’s the play though. India 5-281 with 35 overs left in the match.

Adrian McMurray 3.13pm: Test poised at tea on day five

Ashwin adds a single – the only run in the last two overs of the session – and India head to tea at 5-280 needing 127 runs for victory. Vihari (4*) is still hanging in there, while Ashwin (7*) is doing his best down the other end. The runs have dried up, and you’d imagine India are just playing for a draw now. The Australians have one session to take five wickets. It’s all come down to the final session!

Pucovski, meanwhile, has gone for scans on that shoulder.

Adrian McMurray 3.04pm: Will failed review haunt Australia?

Huge appeal for a catch by Labuschagne at short leg off Lyon’s bowling, but the umpire is unmoved and Ashwin remains. Paine opts to review it, but there was clearly not bat involved. They check lbw, but it was missing the stumps, so Australia lose the review. Quite optimistic, they’ve got one review left. I wonder whether that will come back to haunt the Aussies …

Ashwin grabs four on the last ball of the over. Starc rejoins the attack and collects a maiden. Lyon likewise gets his 10th maiden of the innings. Ashwin 6*, Vihari 4*, India 5-279, needing 128 for victory.

Adrian McMurray 2.45pm: Pujara falls, Australia’s Test to lose?

WICKET! Hazlewood gets the key man in Pujara. Lovely line and length, Pujara bowled! He departs for 77. With a hurt Vihari joined by Ashwin in the middle, is it Australia’s Test to lose now? Ashwin calls for a single on the last ball of the Hazlewood over, and it’s clear Vihari can’t run. India 5-273, needing 134 for victory.

Adrian McMurray 2.36pm: Vihari hurt

More injury drama, this time for India. Pujara takes the quick single, it appears Vihari wasn’t quite ready for it and while they make it, Vihari’s hamstring goes. He’s called for the physio and gets his right leg strapped. He plays on and sees out the over. Pujara on 77*, Vihari 3*, India 4-272 needing 135 runs for victory.

Peter Lalor 2.27pm: Pucovski leaves field hurt

Hint of trouble for Australia, Will Pucovski has left the field to receive treatment on his right shoulder after attempting a dive in the field.

The young batsman playing his first Test hurt the shoulder earlier in the game and had appeared to be fielding with some pain since.

Adrian McMurray 2.17pm: Test poised for incredible finish

A maiden each for Cummins and Hazlewood with the new ball, but Pujara gets the scoreboard moving again with three (yes, three) successive boundaries, 12 runs from the over. Another Hazlewood maiden and India are 4-262 at the drinks break. We know what we’re going to get from Pujara, but Vihari – who’s yet to get off the mark – needs to start producing runs if they’re to win. India need 145 runs for victory.

Adrian McMurray 1.57pm: Lyon ends Pant’s epic innings

WICKET! Lyon gets his man, Pant gone for 97. Pant living dangerously, dancing down to the wicket but sliced it to Cummins who takes the catch at gully. Huge moment for Australia, and an epic innings from Pant, who perhaps deserved a century. He brought up 97 from just the 118 deliveries he faced.

The new ball has been taken, Cummins to begin. India 4-250.

Adrian McMurray 1.50pm: ‘They’re thinking win now’

Pujara brings up 50* with a boundary, coming from 170 balls.

And Pant goes to work with back-to-back boundaries off Green … and then Lyon the next over!

Pujara continues with another four off Green, Pant within touching distance of a century on 97*. This is sensational batting from India.

Mark Waugh says the goal for India has changed.

“I think they’re thinking win now rather than draw. The win looked way out of the equation earlier today, but they’re chopping that margin,” he says in commentary for Fox Cricket.

India 3-250, requiring 157 runs for victory.

Adrian McMurray 1.26pm: Pant hit as second session begins

Starc to begin the second session. On the second delivery, a short ball collects Pant on the helmet. He’s checked out by the physio, going through the concussion protocols, and he’s passed to play on. Pant’s taken plenty of punishment, but he’s proving to be a real warrior out there.

Pujara brings up 6000 Test runs with a single off Starc, a hearty applause from the SCG crowd. He’s on 47*, Pant 76*, India 3-217.

Mackenzie Scott 12.50pm: New restrictions in place for Gabba Test

The fourth Test match will go ahead at the Gabba in Brisbane this weekend with greater restrictions following the virus scare.

Australia will play India in the Sunshine State following lengthy negotiations between the visiting side, Cricket Australia and Queensland health authorities.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the development was good news for Queensland cricket fans.

“Like most elite events last year which saw Queensland host several sporting bubbles, COVID-19 has made preparing for Friday’s Test anything but routine,” the Premier said.

“We’ll keep listening to the strong medical advice of the Chief Health Officer to keep Queenslanders safe and our economy strong.”

Following the three-day lockdown, which ends on Monday night at 6pm, additional restrictions will be in place.

The maximum daily capacity at the Gabba will now be capped at 50 per cent, equal to about 18,000 spectators per day. Masks will be mandatory when entering, exciting and moving around the stadium, including when buying food and drink.

The state’s chief health officer Jeannette Young said the new rules are consistent with the approaches taken at the Sydney SCG and Melbourne MCG Tests.

“These new precautions for the Gabba will allow the Test to continue safety and help us to protect Queenslanders and players,” Dr Young said.

“These precautions … reduce the risk of seeding COVID, particularly the new UK strain we’ve detected in Greater Brisbane.”

Peter Lalor 12.33pm: The view from the SCG at lunch

How annoying must this be for Australia?

Rishabh Pant was apparently not fit enough to take to the field because of a blow to the arm.

India just happened to have an even better keeper on standby who proceeded to pull off a brilliant catch to dismiss Marnus Labschagne.

Pant dropped a number of catches in the first innings.

Pant, however, is fit enough to hold a bat and is motoring toward a century.

Paine dropped Pant when he was on 3 off the bowling of Lyon.

India are 3-206 at lunch, Pant 73* off 97 balls, Pujara 41*, the pair so far producing a 104-run partnership. The visitors need 201 runs for victory.

Adrian McMurray 12.21pm: India fight on

An expensive Starc over allows India to add 13 runs, Pant moving to 68 from 82 balls.

There’s another lbw shout on Pujara the next over, not given and after Paine consults Lyon, he opts not to review.

Cummins replaces Starc, Lyon continues. Chance for Lyon on Pujara, but the catching chance falls short of Smith at first slip.

Pant is in some discomfort, receiving some treatment to his hand between overs as India move to 3-197. Pant 72*, Pujara 33*. Not long now until the break.

Adrian McMurray 11.55am: Paine drops Pant again

We were surprised when Paine put Pant down earlier, and it’s happened again, off Lyon’s bowling again. Pant pushes at it with an outside edge (clearly visible on hot spot in the replays) hitting Paine’s gloves. What is happening? They could’ve had Pant on 3, he moves to 57* at the end of this over.

Starc resumes at the other end, India 3-178.

Adrian McMurray 11.43am: India aren’t going down without a fight

Labuschagne resumes after the break, but the real interest comes in the next couple of overs: Lyon is reintroduced down the other end and Starc joins the fray. Both produce maidens, but Pant goes to work the following over, hitting Lyon for six in the first two balls. Pant moves to 50 with a single the next ball – India aren’t going down without a fight!

He adds another boundary off Starc the next over – Pucovski unable to stop the four – and India move to 3-173, needing 234 runs for victory.

Adrian McMurray 11.20am: Positive first hour for India

Labuschagne joins the attack, replacing Lyon. But it’s Hazlewood who almost gets the wicket of Pant the next over, edging just left of Smith. Just the one slip for Australia and it was wide of the diving former captain.

The end of the over brings drinks, India 3-152 needing 255 runs for victory. This one isn’t over yet. Surely Paine turns to Starc soon.

Peter Lalor 11.02am: Paine fined for dissent

Tim Paine has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching level one of the ICC code of conduct during the third day of the third Test against India in Sydney.

Paine was heard using obscenities when complaining to umpire Paul Wilson about inconsistencies in the DRS and was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC code of conduct for players and player support personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match”.

Paine also had a demerit point added to his disciplinary record – his first offence in a 24 month period.

“F..king consistency, Blocker,” Paine could be heard saying after the decision review system (DRS) found Cheteshwar Pujara had not edged a Nathan Lyon ball that was caught by Matt Wade at short leg.

Paine admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by David Boon of the Emirates ICC elite panel of match referees.

Adrian McMurray 10.58am: Pujara wicket goes begging?

Here’s something you don’t see every day: Paine drops one! Pant looks to defend but edges to the gloves of the Australian skipper. Lyon won’t be happy with that.

Lyon almost strikes again a few overs later, with a great chance to dismiss Pujara. There’s a shout for lbw, it’s not given, and while Paine and Lyon consider sending it up for review they opt against it.

But replays suggest it was worth the punt … it was tight for hitting the stumps, umpire’s call, so the review wouldn’t have been lost. Hmmmm.

An expensive over for Lyon follows, Pant belting one down around long on for four. He follows that with an almost identical shot the next ball, but this time for six. India 3-130, needing 277 runs for victory.

Peter Lalor 10.15am: CA confirms Gabba Test will be played

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley confirmed this morning the Test would go ahead at the Gabba on Friday.

“On the basis of yesterday’s discussions we are full steam ahead to play the fourth Test at the Gabba.

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley and Cricket Australia Head of Integrity and Security Sean Carroll speak with Indian team management. Picture: Getty Images
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley and Cricket Australia Head of Integrity and Security Sean Carroll speak with Indian team management. Picture: Getty Images

“I had a call last night from the BCCI secretary and he confirmed we are good to travel to Brisbane on Tuesday.

“Based on my discussions so far I expect it (the crowd) to be somewhat less,” Hockley said.

The Queensland government announced this morning the ground would be at half capacity.

Adrian McMurray 10.10am: Wicket falls early on day five

Welcome to day five, India with it all to do, resuming at 2-98 and needing 309 runs for victory.

Cummins starts for the hosts, with Rahane 4* and Pujara 10* down the other end.

In the second over of the day … WICKET! Lyon get the huge wicket of Rahane, the inside edge falling to Wade at short leg who takes the catch. He departs for just four runs. India 3-102.

Peter Lalor 9.45am: Brisbane’s on, but no thanks to abuse claims

Word from the Indian camp is Brisbane is on, but the last Test of the tour could easily have been derailed by the unfortunate incidents in Sydney.

Australian crowds have a poor reputation and it is worse after the events in Sydney.

The Indians are very upset over incidents on Saturday and Sunday and play was halted for 10 minutes on day four when pace bowler Mohammed Siraj reported abuse from the Brewrongle stand.

Mohammed Siraj of India stops play to make a formal complaint. Picture: Getty Images
Mohammed Siraj of India stops play to make a formal complaint. Picture: Getty Images

A video from the third day of the Test purports to have captured somebody yelling “brown dog” to Siraj, but the audio is very unclear.

Nonetheless, it is headline news in the cricket world and beyond.

BBC World Service ran reports of racism and crowd ejections in their bulletins overnight, all the Indian papers are condemning the incident and social media is in flames.

Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have both condemned the behaviour.

Read the full story here.

Gideon Haigh 7.30am: Indian stars deserve better than this

It was Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj who brought the Third Test to a standstill at 2.55pm yesterday, coming in from fine leg and with a wave of his arms signifying his weariness of hometown heckling from the Brewongle Stand.

Was this heckling racist? Prepare for it to be minimised as “friendly banter”, and for jokes about lip-reading through masks. A certain proportion of cricket’s followers will defend to the death their right to abuse players from other countries in whatever terms they wish.

Bear in mind, however, that Sunday’s events came on top of crowd behaviours of which the Indian team complained after play on Saturday, whose reported content sounds more serious.

Mohammed Siraj of India stops play to make a formal complaint to umpire Paul Reiffel about some spectators in the bay behind his fielding position. Picture: Getty Images
Mohammed Siraj of India stops play to make a formal complaint to umpire Paul Reiffel about some spectators in the bay behind his fielding position. Picture: Getty Images

In any event, what we should be prepared to say is that it’s at least ungrateful, certainly distasteful and arguably disgusting to jeer or harangue this Indian team given what they have experienced in the summer of 2020-21 so that we comparatively fortunate Australians might have something to watch.

Siraj is on his first tour. He is the son of an auto-rickshaw driver from Hyderabad. His father died six weeks ago; he remained on the tour rather than return for the funeral. As India’s national anthem played before play on Thursday, a single tear was observed descending from his eye.

Otherwise, of course, we hardly know him; we cannot get close enough to do so, nor he to us.

Read the full story here.

Ben Horne 7.15am: DRS boss calls for overhaul after Smith howler

The man in charge of the decision review system (DRS) admits the technology owes Steve Smith an apology for giving him the fright of his life in Sydney, but says the bigger issue is the review process must be completely overhauled.

Smith was left shocked on day three when a Ravichandran Ashwin delivery that looked like it was going way down the leg-side was shown to be clipping leg-stump – with umpire’s call saving him from a shock dismissal.

Frozen images of the referral showed a clear difference between where Smith’s off-stump stood and where DRS had overlaid the wicket, prompting teammate Pat Cummins to concede, “With that Steve one, we were all shaking our heads.”

But Ian Taylor, CEO of Virtual Eye, has explained that a rare glitch where the replay of the delivery did not calibrate properly with the ball-tracking had caused the error.

Read the full story here.

Joe Barton 7am: Why Green is the cure for our no.6 woes

Australia’s decade-long search for a game-changing middle-order star is over.

In the eight years since Mike Hussey retired and the Test team lost their ultra-reliable middle order rock, 25 players have batted in Australian cricket’s twilight zone position: the dreaded No.6.

The roll call reads like a who’s who of those lightning rods for criticism in Australian cricket.

Mitchell Marsh. Matthew Wade. Travis Head. Shane Watson. Shaun Marsh. Glenn Maxwell. Nic Maddinson. Joe Burns.

It might not come with the specialist status of openers, or have a reputation for being the home of your best batsman like first drop, but batting at the No. 6 is a tricky and important role.

Which brings us to Cameron Green, who wowed the SCG crowd on Sunday with a scintillating 84 – falling 16 runs short of a maiden Test ton as he unleashed a barrage of sixes as Australia lifted the tempo before tea.

Read the full story here.

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