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Rediff.com  » Cricket » PHOTOS: India escape with a draw in Sydney; Australia win series 2-0

PHOTOS: India escape with a draw in Sydney; Australia win series 2-0

January 10, 2015 14:29 IST
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Opener Murali Vijay hit a half-century as India's batsmen survived some intense pressure from Australia's bowlers on the last day to draw the fourth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

- Scorecard

India finished on 252 for seven in their second innings, after they were set a target of 349 on a difficult-fifth day wicket before Steve Smith agreed for a draw in the final over of the day.

Australia claimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after winning the four-match series 2-0 following victories in the first two Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane, while the Melbourne Test also finished in a draw.

Check out the images from Day 5 at SCG:

The Australian team pose with the Border-Gavskar trophy after winning the four-match Test series. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The stage was set for a pulsating fifth day's play with Australia declaring their second innings on their overnight score of 251 for six, giving India a target of 349 in 90 overs to register their first win in the series.

India lost young opener Lokesh Rahul (16) early but Vijay and Rohit Sharma (39) stitched 56 runs for the second wicket to stabilise the innings.

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Rohit came out positive but perished when he chose to guide one from Shane Watson down past the slip cordon but Australia captain Steve Smith took a brilliant one-handed catch diving to his right to dismiss the Indian right-hander.

Australia captain Steven Smith (left) takes a diving catch to dismiss Rohit Sharma. Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Getty Images

The 100-run mark for India came up in the 37th over before Vijay, on 42, was dropped by Shaun Marsh at short cover off Ryan Harris.

In the very next over, Vijay survived another confident shout for leg before wicket with umpire Richard Kettleborough turning down the appeal even though television replays showed that he was lucky to survive.

Vijay soon completed his fourth half-century of the series as India went to tea placed at 160 for two.

Murali Vijay bats during day five. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The complexion of the game changed completely after the tea break with Murali Vijay (80), in-form captain  Virat Kohli (46), Suresh Raina (0) and Wriddhiman Saha (0) and Ravichandran Ashwin (1) departing in quick succession to give Australia a sniff of victory.

India reached the 200-run mark in the 67th over but shortly therafter Kohli departed, caught at first slip by Shane Watson off Starc.

Kohli's dismissal put paid to any hopes of Indian victory and from there onwards it was just about saving the match for the visitors.

Mitchell Starc (left) celebrates after taking the wicket of Virat Kohli. Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Getty Images

Suresh Raina lasted just three deliveries before was trapped leg before wicket by Mitchell Starc for his second duck in the match.

Wriddhiman Saha also failed to open his account when he perished without scoring to Nathan Lyon as the visitors lost three wickets for just seven runs to raise Australia's hopes of a victory.

Nathan Lyon (2nd right) celebrates with team mates after dismissing Wriddhiman Saha. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Ajinkya Rahane battled hard in the company of the tailenders to help India escape with a draw.

The right-hander was unbeaten on 38 from 88 balls, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar was unbeaten on 20 as the duo played out nearly 12 tense overs to take India to 252 for seven in 89.5 overs and deny Australia victory.

Ajinkya Rahane bats during day five. Photograph: Daniel Munoz/Getty Images

For Australia Josh Hazzlewood (2/31), Mitchell Starc (2/36) and off-spinner Nathan Lyon (2/110) shared six wickets between them.

Australia claimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after winning the four-match series 2-0 following victories in the first two Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane, while the Melbourne Test also finished in a draw.

Australia captain Steve Smith holds the Border-Gavskar trophy aloft after winning the series. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
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