Fitting Birthday Gift For Rahul Dravid: Cricket World Reacts As Gutsy India Pull Off Draw For Ages In Australia

The unshakeable resolve despite their bruised bodies earned the Ajinkya Rahane-led India wholesome praise from the cricket community after the team snatched an unlikely draw in the third Test against Australia in Sydney.

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Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting were among those who lauded the team for showing tremendous "fight and determination".

Hanuma Vihari (23 not out off 161) and Ravichandran Ashwin (39 not out off 128) batted out the entire evening session on day five after Rishabh Pant (97 off 118 balls) and Cheteshwar Pujara (77 off 205 balls) produced an amazing 148-run stand as India eked out a memorable draw at the SCG.

The duo wore down Australia by batting for more than 42 overs as India ended up with 334 for five in 131 overs, while chasing a mammoth 407 to win at the SCG. While they were at it, Vihari was battling a hamstring tear and Ashwin had taken a few hard hits to his ribs.

"Really proud of #TeamIndia! Special mention to @RishabhPant17, @cheteshwar1, @ashwinravi99 and @Hanumavihari for the roles they’ve played brilliantly. Any guesses in which dressing room the morale will be high? #OneTeamOneCause #AUSvIND," Tendulkar wrote in his Twitter handle.

Former India captain and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly said the game highlighted the importance of players with varied temperaments and skills.

"Hope all of us realise the importance of pujara,pant and Ashwin in cricket teams..batting at 3 in test cricket against quality bowling is not always hitting through the line ..almost 400 test wickets don't come just like that..well fought india..time to win the series," he tweeted.

Former Australia skipper Ponting too was impressed with the way India fought back and didn't let the Test slip away.

"Loved the fight and determination of India all day today. Starting with Pant and Pujara, and then for Vihari and Ashwin to withstand Australia and look largely in control for most of the day was very impressive. Can't wait for Brisbane now. #AUSvIND," he tweeted.

The art of Test-saving batsmanship displayed by Vihari and Ashwin brought to mind the dogged resistance which was the hallmark of the batting of Rahul Dravid, who turned 48 on Monday.

Congratulating India for their "extraordinary" effort, the game's governing body (ICC) wrote: "A fitting birthday gift for Rahul Dravid. An extraordinary display of resistance, fight and patience by India today."

Former India batsman and domestic heavyweight Wasim Jaffer too was effusion in his praise for an Indian team, which battled a series of injuries and on-field abuses to earn a remarkable draw.

"Even a half-strength, battled, bruised, injured, ridiculed, abused, bio-bubble fatigued India is difficult for a full strength Australia to beat at home. No praise high enough for this herculean effort. Told you this is a damn good team. Cherish it. #AUSvsIND," he wrote.

Praising the team's effort, BCCI secretary Jay Shah wrote: "'Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and cometh the team'. Extremely proud of #TeamIndia for putting up a fight on Day 5. Special mention to @RishabhPant17, @Hanumavihari, @cheteshwar1 & @ashwinravi99. Well done, guys! Hello Brisbane Flag of India #AUSvsIND."

Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull also hailed India's "incredibale fight" during the fifth day.

"Some incredible fight shown today by @BCCI @cheteshwar1 @ashwinravi99 @Hanumavihari @RishabhPant17 and all involved in that performance throughout. Well done to my good mate @RaviShastriOfc.
Long live test cricket.. #INDvAUS #TestCricket #TeamIndia #fight," Doull wrote.

India opener Mayank Agarwal, who was not considered for the third Test, praised his teammates for their resilience.

"Never giving up. Never backing down from a challenge. Great character and resilience displayed by the team," he tweeted.

India batsman K L Rahul, who was ruled out of the last two Tests and had to return from Australia after suffering a wrist injury, echoed the sentiment.

"Unbelievable Grit, determination and character shown by #TeamIndia. What an unbelievably spirited effort and some serious grind. Well done men. test cricket at its best," he wrote on his handle.

The fifth day also had its moment of controversy when a video surfaced showing Australia batsman Steve Smith scuffing Rishabh Pant's guard marks during drinks break.

Pant's counter-attacking 97 had raised hope of a win at one stage.

"Tried all tricks including Steve Smith trying to remove Pant's batting guard marks from the crease. Par kuch kaam na aaya. Khaaya peeya kuch nahi, glass toda barana (But it didn't yield any result)," Sehwag wrote.

"But I am so so proud of the effort of the Indian team today. Seena chonda ho gaya yaar (my chest swelled with pride)."

While the world showered praise on the Indian players, BCCI vice-president and Congress leader Rajeev Shukla and BJP MP and singer Babul Supriyo were critical of the team's performance.

"Actually the middle order could have performed little better and we would have won the match," Shukla, a former Rajya Sabha MP, tweeted.

Supriyo said Vihari could have shown more initiative in the middle.

"If Hanuma showed this little initiative of just standing & hitting the BAD BALLS for boundaries, India may hv got this historic win GIVEN that Pant did what no one expected. And, I am reiterating that it's ONLY the bad balls that cud hv been hit given Hanuma was set batman by then," he wrote.

The fourth and final Test begins in Brisbane on January 15.