Australia v India 3rd Test: India rocks Australia to score miracle draw at SCG

India has defied Australia to pull off one of the greatest saves in Test match history - and missing captain Virat Kohli had his own reason to celebrate.

Pat Cummins will lead the pace attack as Australia looks to claim victory. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

India have redefined themselves as a cricket nation by overcoming broken bones and busted limbs to chisel out one of history’s finest escape acts on a day their missing leader Virat Kohli became a father.

Australia is now facing the embarrassing prospect of surrendering their second straight Border-Gavaskar trophy on home soil, and must now lift for a do-or-die series decider at the Gabba with everything on the line.

An outcome which seemed unlikely when captain Virat Kohli - who  announced that he had become a dad for the first time - left the tour following India's  historic Test defeat in Adelaide. 

“We are thrilled to share with you that we have been blessed with a baby girl this afternoon,’’ Kohli posted to his 88.9 million Instagram and 39.9 million Twitter followers.

♥️ pic.twitter.com/js3SkZJTsH

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 11, 2021

It might not have been a loss for Australia, but the ghosts of Headingly reared their heads again as the home side blew what seemed an inevitable victory at the SCG. 

There was simply no semblance of an excuse for the home team, who won the toss and incapacitated two Indian players, yet still could take only three wickets on a day five SCG pitch as India showed their resilience for the second time this series and record a famous draw.

One of those incapacitated was Rishabh Pant, who after copping a bruising blow to his elbow two days ago which stopped him from wicket-keeping in the previous innings, bravely walked out and made a match-defining 97.

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The other debilitated man was Ravindra Jadeja, but despite padding up to bat with a broken thumb, was never needed because of a 42.3 over stand between Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin – themselves beaten and bashed.

The unheralded Vihari is one of Test cricket’s most unlikely heroes. Despite tearing his hamstring at the very start of his innings which started at 1.52pm, he saved the game with an extraordinary 23 not out from 161 balls to deny Australia nearly four and a half hours later.

All this despite being unable to run.

His brave stand at the SCG will go down in cricketing folklore and was aided by an equally courageous Ashwin (39 not out), who faced 128 balls of his own despite copping several brutal body blows from Pat Cummins which damaged his ribs and rendered him unable to even sit down in the dressing room.

India complete the great escape!

Australia will rue missed opportunities after a tough day at the office, series remains 1-1 heading to The Gabba. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/b8rY8GIMDJ

— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) January 11, 2021

“It was really special. It was as good as a victory,” said Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane, who had already watched his team bounce back once to win in Melbourne after their 36-all out capitulation in the first Test.

“Vihari, Ashwin, Pujara, Rohit and also Rishabh Pant. Everyone contributed to the team’s cause but those two guys in the end batted almost two and a half hours for the last session.

“They’re a world class bowling attack. Credit to all the guys the way we played throughout the Test match.

“We always knew Ashwin’s ability as a batsman and Vihari showed he actually can bat and bat really well.

“The message at tea was just hang in there, play one ball at a time, one over a time. Don’t look too far ahead. With five overs to go we were counting each and every delivery.”

Pant goes bang.

Australia dropped four catches – including three from Tim Paine, with the Australian captain turning in the most forgettable Test match of his otherwise impressive tenure as national skipper.

Paine let his frustrations overcome him for the second time in the Test, after already being fined for swearing at an umpire. An unsavoury verbal slanging match with Ashwin as the game was slipping away on Monday was another poor look for the team, particularly after all the work has been put into changing the team’s image post Sandpapergate.

“Obviously we wanted to win the game and I thought we created enough chances to do so,” said Paine, who took responsibility for his drops and bad language and vowed to improve in Brisbane.

“I wouldn’t say it’s deflating. There’s still a lot of positives out of the game. I thought it was an awesome game of Test cricket. But we’re clearly disappointed not to get a win.”

This was India at their brave best finishing 5-334 and only 72 runs shy.

SHOT, VIHARI!

What an innings this has been from him, battling through injury and fighting for a draw 👏👏 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/MKmmWm06jL

— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) January 11, 2021

Despite the unsettling racism allegations against Indian stars Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah and the self-imposed distraction of agitating to boycott having to play the fourth Test in Brisbane, India showed incredible focus to fight for survival against all the odds.

At one point India was paying $51 to win the Test, but with Pant and Cheteshwar Pujara (77 off 205 balls) at the crease, they screamed into $6 to chase down a record-breaking 407 set by an Australian side that had dominated the Test.

Steve Smith even resorted to mischievously scratching a new guard for Pant on the pitch during the first drinks break, with the Australians desperate to get under his skin or find anyway to dislodge the punchy left-hander.

When Lyon (2-114) followed the advice of Matt Wade and bowled wide to finally get Pant out swinging for his hundred right before the second new ball was due, it threatened to be the turning point in the day.

Particularly when Pujara followed him nine overs later thanks to a lion-hearted effort from Josh Hazlewood.

Most teams would have folded at that point.

But Vihari – who was demoted below the injured Pant in the batting order and had struggled in the first two Tests – stood up to be counted, with a 23 that had all the value of an unbeaten 100.

Originally published as Australia v India 3rd Test: India rocks Australia to score miracle draw at SCG

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