India vs Australia, SCG, as it happened: Rahane helps India earn gutsy draw

Jan 10, 2015

• 13:17 (IST)
  Over 89.5: India 252/7 (Rahane 38, Bhuvneshwar 20)

  Bhuvi drives Lyon's first ball crisply down the ground to the long-off boundary. The third ball of the over stays low but Bhuvi gets his bat on it. India are safe. Bhuvi celebrates by pulling Lyon over square leg for another four.

  Smith decides there is no need to play the last ball. The teams shake hands.

  Rahane and Bhuvi added 35 from 11.3 overs to prevent a repeat of Adelaide. Having Bhuvi batting at No. 9 made a huge difference to the tail.  

  Australia win the series 2-0 but India showed a lot of fight in this Test with the bat. The less said about the bowling the better.
• 12:51 (IST)
  That's it from us. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. We can now turn our attention to the tri-series between Australia, India and England and then the World Cup that is the big cricket prize in 2015. The tri-series begins on January 16th but we will back live for India's first ODI on January 18th. See you then. Ciao.
• 12:48 (IST)
  Steven Smith: I thought India played very well to see out the draw today. bviously, a tough day and credit to India for the way they played today.

  I've really enjoyed this series. We have had some pretty flat wickets. Felt good from the start. It is very satisfying for me. The important thing is we won the series.

  I have really enjoyed captaining these guys. They try their hearts out every day of the week.
• 12:47 (IST)
  Virat Kohli: Thanks to all the Indian people who have supported us through thihs series and the Australian crowd that gave us a tough time adn brought out the best of us.

  We wanted to be up for a gith and that is what the boys haev done. could have gone either way. We have played the kindd of cricket we wanted to play. I am sure Australia enjoyed the competitive cricket we have played.

  At tea time, I was hundred percent sure if we should go for the target. When Vijay got out, I thought it was worth the risk knowing we weren't coming here for a long time. The intent was important. the character the side has shown is very important.

  These guys have stepped up and shown they have the character and determination and the game to succeed. Lot of positives coming out of the series for us.

  
  
• 12:42 (IST)
  Steven Smith is the Man of the Match and the Man of the Series.
• 12:41 (IST)
  It is time for the post match presentation.
• 12:40 (IST)
  Ajinkya Rahane in Eng 2014 - 299 runs in Aus 2014/15 - 399 runs #AusvInd via @Dheeraj1802

  — Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 10, 2015

• 12:38 (IST)
  Such draws will be the summit for India away from home as long as the pace bowling is so dire.#AUSvIND

  — Dileep Premachandran (@SpiceBoxofEarth) January 10, 2015

• 12:37 (IST)
  The last team before India to draw two successive Tests in Australia: South Africa in November 2012. Before that NZ in Nov-Dec 2001 #AusvInd

  — Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 10, 2015

• 12:37 (IST)
  That's the end of what has been a hard fought Test series. India largely matched Australia with the bat but there was a yawning gap with the ball. Australia win 2-0 but that doesn't tell the whole story. This India side gave the home team a scare. There is a completely different feeling to how India finished up their tour of England.
• 12:31 (IST)
  Over 90: India 252/7 (Rahane 38, Bhuvneshwar 20)

  Bhuvi drives Lyon's first ball crisply down the ground to the long-off boundary. The third ball of the over stays low but Bhuvi gets his bat on it. India are safe. Bhuvi celebrates by pulling Lyon over square leg for another four.

  Smith decides there is no need to play the last ball. The teams shake hands.

  Rahane and Bhuvi added 35 from 11.3 overs to prevent a repeat of Adelaide. Having Bhuvi batting at No. 9 made a huge difference to the tail.  

  Australia win the series 2-0 but India showed a lot of fight in this Test with the bat. The less said about the bowling the better.
• 12:27 (IST)
  India's No.6 batsmen have averaged 13.12 in the series - 105 runs in 8 inngs, highest score 43http://t.co/rwUVWJxxOk

  — S Rajesh (@rajeshstats) January 10, 2015

• 12:26 (IST)
  Rahane - Calmness. Responsibility. Skill. Calmness such that, it has descended upon us fans too. #ThankYou #AUSvIND

  — cricBC (@cricBC) January 10, 2015

• 12:26 (IST)
  Over 89: India 244/7 (Rahane 38, Bhuvneshwar 12)

  Starc comes on. One last throw of the dice for Smith. Bhuvi gets a big outside edge to third man and India settle for the single so Rahane has the strike. Only one man on the boundary at deep backward square. Rahane has a waft at short ball outside off. A momentary loss of concentration for him. He redeems himself with a firm push through the covers for a couple.

  Starc's last delivery is wide down legside. Australia may have made a mistake by taking the new ball when they did.
• 12:20 (IST)
  Over 88: India 241/7 (Rahane 36, Bhuvneshwar 11)

  Rahane is comfortable in defence. The demons in this pitch seem to fallen asleep once the new ball was taken. He picks up two through the covers. But he can't take a single off the last ball, so Bhuvi will be on strike.
• 12:17 (IST)
  Over 87: India 239/7 (Rahane 34, Bhuvneshwar 11)

  Harris returns as Australia push hard for those final three wickets. Rahane is solid though and safely plays out four deliveries before pulling a short ball past leg gully for a single. Bhuvi quietly plays out the one ball he had to face.

  18 more to go.
• 12:13 (IST)
  Over 86: India 238/7 (Rahane 33, Bhuvneshwar 11)

  Seven men surround Bhuvneshwar Kumar, plus one at short mid-on who is almost on the wicket. But Bhuvi stays calm as lotus flower and drives an overpitched delivery through the covers. With everyone around the bat, it is four runs.

  24 more balls for India to survive.
• 12:08 (IST)
  Over 85: India 234/7 (Rahane 33, Bhuvneshwar 7)

  Double change with Hazlewood coming on. Three slips and two gullies. Rahane turns down a single off the third. As the last recognised batsman, he knows he must protect the tail. Australia again allow the ball to run to the ropes to make sure Bhuvi faces Lyon in the last over.
• 12:04 (IST)
  Six overs to go. Josh is back.

  — Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) January 10, 2015

• 12:03 (IST)
  Over 84: India 230/7 (Rahane 29, Bhuvneshwar 7)

  Lyon has replaced Harris. Bhuvi plays the ball like it is a grenade. With five men and the keeper around the bat, it might as well be. A maiden ensues. India have to survive another 36 balls.
• 12:01 (IST)
  Over 83: India 230/7 (Rahane 29, Bhuvneshwar 7)

  Starc bowls one good bouncer that Rahane sways under rather comfortably. The rest of the over is wasted. Australia don't chase the ball when Rahane cuts a short delivery and allow it to go for four because they want Bhuvi on strike in the next over. Starc ensures that is the case with a wide short ball.