India end Test on high as rain leaves series tied at 1-1

Rain cut short Australia’s improbable push for victory in the third Test as India bid farewell to one of the game’s great spin bowlers when Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement.

Though second best for much of the first four days, India finished Day 5 on a high by capturing seven wickets and with their openers left to face only 2.1 overs before a downpour saw play abandoned after tea and the match end in a draw.

The weather ensured the five-Test series remains locked at 1-1 ahead of the traditional “Boxing Day” Test in Melbourne, where both teams will bring a mix of optimism and concern.

“We’ll take that, obviously,” said India captain Rohit Sharma at the post-match presentation. “We head to Melbourne with the confidence that we can try to pull things toward us.”

India were eight for no loss when tea was called early due to failing light, with the tourists 267 runs short of victory at the Gabba.

Captain Pat Cummins had declared Australia’s second innings closed at 89/7 to give India a 275-run target as dark clouds gathered.

Australia may rage at the weather, having battled hard for a winning position while rain blighted four of the five days. “Unfortunately a lot of rain, which you can’t do anything about... I’m really proud of how the guys played,” said Cummins. “We were right ahead of the game.... We just about ticked off every box we could.”