Rain plays spoilsport as Test ends in draw

India escaped with a crucial draw in the weather-hit third Test against Australia after intermittent rain wiped out the majority of play on Day 5, leaving the five-match series tantalisingly locked at 1-1.

- Press Trust of India

BRISBANE:

Resuming the day at 252/9, India batted for 24 balls and were all out for 260 in their first innings.

With limited time left in the day to force a result after the majority of the morning session was rained out, the Australian batters came out all guns blazing and stuttered to 89/7 in 18 overs before making a brave declaration, giving India at least 54 overs to chase down 275.

Bad light and rain forced an early tea break soon after with India at 8 for no loss in 2.1 overs. The rain got heavier as time passed, and no play was possible thereafter.

The absorbing series is nicely poised going into the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

India would have fancied chasing 275 on Day 5, but the weather helped them immensely in the game controlled by Australia.

Jasprit Bumrah (3/18) was brilliant as usual in the second innings with Mohammed Siraj (2/36) and Akash Deep (2/28) offering good support.

Australia's approach in the second essay was brave and questionable at the same time.