The third Test played in Sydney between India and Australia ended on a draw. Despite the injury on the fifth day, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari batted for nearly 3 and a half hours and saved the match. Vihari was ham-stringed and Ashwin struggled with a back injury during the match. India saved the match by batting over 100 overs after 23 years.
Ashwin and Vihari shared a partnership of 68 runs in 258 balls. It is the third-largest partnership by ball for the 6th wicket. With the third Test drawn, the series is still 1–1. The last Test will be played in Brisbane from 15 January.
This draw has earned Hanuma Vihari a lot of praise as the batsman batted for almost 3 hours with a hamstring injury. R Ashwin who batted along with hi hailed the cricketer.
After the presentation ceremony, Ashwin said, "The atmosphere in the dressing room is electric. In Test cricket we don't get a lot of draws, it was a really exciting last session. I just went to Pujara and told him, you sold me down the river in both the innings. Cummins was bowling in a different league altogether. There was a bit of double bounce, so it was difficult against Cummins. I think facing Bumrah in the nets is not easy. We have bowlers who can bowl in the 150s. I have been batting well in the nets, so it was great to spend some time in the middle."
"Chasing 400 in Sydney was never going to be easy, as the ball was going up and down. That knock by Pant set us up. After Pujara and Pant's wicket and with Vihari injured, it was going to be difficult to go for the win. Touring Australia is never easy so Vihari can be proud of himself. It was a knock equal to scoring a hundred. I was just telling the batting coach during the lunch break that I have never left the SCG without a fifty, this is a venue where I have done well with the bat and today's innings is right up there," added Ashwin.