Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne struck half-centuries on Monday to help Australia draw the fourth and final test against India, as the home side retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-1 series victory in Ahmedabad.
India took a 91-run first innings lead on Sunday to put themselves in an unbeatable position heading into the final day of the only test in the series that lasted the full five days.
Australia made 175/2 batting resolutely to frustrate India, who have held the trophy since 2016-17.
Head made 90 and forged a 139-run stand with Labuschagne, who made 63 not out, before players from both sides shook hands at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
India also confirmed their place in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June following Sri Lanka’s two-wicket loss to New Zealand in Christchurch earlier in the day.
Speaking after the game, India captain Rohit Sharma said, “It was a fantastic series right from the word go. Lot of the players are playing this for the first time. We do understand the importance of this series and the opposition. Lot of hard work has gone into this.”
“At different times we have come up with answers. We knew how important it was to start the series. The Delhi Test, I am very proud of. We were behind in the game. At Indore, we were put under pressure and lost the game. Different players put their hands up. Lot of guys took up the responsibility and bailed us out.”
“Test cricket is hard fought cricket and isn’t easy. I am quite satisfied. I know what kind of benchmark I have set for myself. I keep the personal milestones aside, We have got the result from what I wanted from the series. To get the result makes us very happy,” he concluded.
