India failed to capitalise on a good second innings start in the Sydney Test as they were held to a stalemate by an Australian bowling attack that saw the tourists losing the four match series 2-0. The SCG Test ended in a draw after Australia posted a second innings total of 251-6 declared and held India to 252-7 at the draw of stumps on the final day of the Sydney Test. Despite Murali Vijay’s solid knock of 80, India kept on losing wickets at regular interval as they needed 349 to win the final and fourth Test at Sydney Cricket Ground. Lokesh Rahul failed to replicate his first innings stellar knock as he fell cheaply for 16 runs to a delivery by off-spinner Nathan Lyon, whereas Rohit Sharma got out for 39 by a delivery off Shane Watson. However, Vijay and skipper Virat Kohli managed to steady the ship with helping their side to reach 158/2 before the play of the final session of the Test match. Resuming their innings, India lost Vijay and Kohli (46), who were knocked out by deliveries off Josh Hazelwood and Mitchell Starc respectively. Subsequently, Australian bowling unit triggered Indian middle order batting collapse as Suresh Raina(0), Wriddiman Saha(0) and Ravichandran Ashwin(1) fell in quick succession for combined total of mere one run. However, Ajinkya Rahane (38) and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (20) stayed at the crease to lead India to a draw. India will now face the host in a tri-series with England in a seven match one-day series, which would start from January 16.
ANI