The third Test between India and Australia in Sydney saw one of the greatest fightbacks in whites for the visitors in recent times. With the four-match series tied at 1-1, Australia set India a mammoth target of 407. In response, the visitors scored 334/5 in 131 overs in the second innings and managed to salvage a famous draw. The last time India batted out 100-plus overs in fourth innings was in July 2002 against England at Lord's (109.4 overs).
The gritty fightback was led by Cheteshwar Pujara (77 off 205 balls) and Rishabh Pant (97 off 118 balls). The latter's counter-attacking innings raised visions of an unlikely Indian win, but once they departed, it looked like it was just a matter of time before the Aussies would blow away the Indian lower order, especially with Ravindra Jadeja suffering a broken thumb.
But Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari dropped anchor, playing out 259 deliveries, putting on 62 runs and forcing a draw. It was a mind-blowing exhibition of old-school doggedness in Test cricket. Add to it Vihari's hamstring injury which rendered him almost immobile, and Ashwin's back problem the night before, and one can only imagine the effort the duo put in to defy the Aussie bowlers.
The man went to bed last night with a terrible back tweak and in unbelievable pain. He could not stand up straight when he woke up this morning. Could not bend down to tie his shoe laces. I am amazed at what @ashwinravi99 pulled off today.
— Prithi Ashwin (@prithinarayanan) January 11, 2021
In the midst of all this struggle, there were some amusing moments which won the hearts of the fans, especially down south. Vihari is from Andhra Pradesh, while Ashwin hails from Tamil Nadu. Both understand a bit of Tamil and Telugu, as the duo revealed in an Instagram Live session earlier. With close-in Australian fielders hovering around the bat, Ashwin chose to switch to Tamil to egg on his younger partner. It was picked up by the stump mic, much to the amusement of the fans.
Ashwin talking in Tamil with vihari:
— M2 (@emmcesquared) January 11, 2021
P.S. @prithinarayanan please give our love to @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/x5ZU0ls4ZF
The fourth and final Test begins on January 15 at Brisbane.