Match drawn
PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Cheteshwar Pujara
Bowler
On a scale of this pitch's visible profile to ICC's definition of a "good" Test pitch, Ranchi should graduate with flying colours.. in a draw. Wasn't the case two days before the Test, when all we one could think was doom, so sinister the pitch looked. But Smith scored, on a pitch he had described as "mud rolled together", and then an epic partnership from India suggested how we are all one Cheteshwar Pujara away from immortality. On that note, Pratyush Sinha takes leave, holding his right shoulder injured from all the typing. My colleagues Ramakrishnan, Raju Peethala, Kumar Abhisekh Das and Naga wish you well too. Dream on, ta-ta!
A special mention to Peter Handscomb who might have played one of the best knocks of his cricketing career. Had a glimpse of him in the dressing room while Smith and Renshaw were batting in the first hour, The Victorian was seen joking and sharing a laugh with the Australian coach. A proof that he is a no-fuss cricketer and means business only when he's on the field. Off the field, pretty relaxed. Also, he idolises Dean Jones, remember THAT (210 off 330 balls) knock in the Tied Test match in Chennai. I'm pretty sure Deano will be mighty proud of the effort put in by Peter-gritty-Handscomb. The only similarity, quite comical I know, one can draw between the two tenacious knocks is that both of them got out to a Yadav in their first innings. Shivlal Yadav then. Umesh Yadav now.
Match summary: A match defined by grit, just like Test matches were meant to be. Smith scored another hundred against India, and put winning the toss to good use. Jadeja's 5/124 kept Australia to 451, braving Maxwell's perception-transmogrifying maiden century, and little did anyone know that India will take a 150-odd run lead. Cummins had kept India on its toes, getting Rahul in the process, and then Vijay had succumbed to aggression, at the stroke of lunch on day three. But then began the batathon featuring Pujara and Saha, who blocked. And then attacked. And eventually hoisting India to a position from where they could win the game. And everyone expected Australia to yield after spending 200 odd overs on the field. And Smith's wicket - the when and how of it - suggested a collapse. Wasn't to be. Marsh and Handscomb camped, and sailed Australia through to a draw.
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When was the last time Australia drew a Test in India? Which record did Jadeja miss out? Deepu Narayanan has the answers:
** The last time Australia batted out entire day five to draw a Test match in Asia was against Pakistan in Lahore in 1980.
** This is the first drawn Test for Australia in India since Delhi 2008, ten Tests ago and only the fourth in last 25 years (24 Tests).
** 373 balls faced by Marsh/Handscomb is the second longest stand for any wicket for Australia in second innings in Asia. It is also the most balled-batted out by a pair for Australia in Asia on the fifth day.
** Ashwin has equalled Dale Steyn's record of 78 wickets (in 2007/08) for the most wickets in a season. Ravindra Jadeja is next in the list with his 67 scalps this season.
** Jadeja narrowly missed out being the first Indian player to score a fifty & claim a five-for in each innings of a Test match (5/124, 54* & 4/54).
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Cheteshwar Pujara - Man of the Match: "I think it was much needed for the team. Because we lost six wickets and when Saha came in, we had a chat about building a long partnership to get close to their total. I and Vijay were having a good partnership, so I never thought I will face so many balls. But I knew I had to bat long to reach to their total. I do get tempted (to hit over the top) but you still have to look at the bigger picture. There was a situation when you couldn't afford to lose wickets, so I had to restrict myself when I knew I was timing the ball really ball. So I looked for singles, rotated the strike unless the ball was really loose, rather than trying to create a shot. It is natural to me (playing long). I don't need motivation when I am playing for the Indian team. We always want to win. We are number one and we want to maintain it. We were close to winning this Test too. To go past their total and to put them under pressure on the last day (was good). They were four down at lunch but Handscomb and Marsh batted well, we didn't get a wicket between lunch and tea, and that's where the game changed. We have an opportunity to win the series. (Long innings) does (take a toll on the fitness). I do get tired but I have been working hard on my fitness, I focus on my diet. We have an important Test match coming up and I hope that I am ready."
Kohli (4/4): (Jadeja is) unbelievable. He's a gun in the field. I saw his figures s this innings - 40 overs for 50 runs - and I haven't seen bowl more economically ever. Keeps pitching the ball in the same areas again and again, and gets the rewards. Very hard-working, knows his strengths and knows his limitations and sticks to it. So credit to him. No different (plans) from what we have done here. We have played good cricket and want to do the same. Given hundred per cent and that's what we want to keep doing. Another game to go and we are ready for it."
Kohli (3/4): "I don't think it was the wicket not doing anything; I think it had to do with the ball. I don't think the ball was hard enough for it to bite off the surface. Even the ball that got changed wasn't up to the standards. I don't know the lot of balls that is coming in. Nothing to do with the wicket. I think when you don't have the hardness in the ball, it is very difficult for the guys to generate pace off the wicket. Hard new ball, and forty overs later, the game gets delayed. If you have a hard ball throughout, then it's a different ball-game altogether. Probably when they were bowling as well, the harder ball would have made a difference. But that's Test cricket; conditions don't always go your way and you have to Test yourself. Credit to them for playing out a draw."
Kohli (2/4): "Guys just wanted to push their mental and physical limits, that's why we ended up in winning position. Credit to Australia that they played out a draw. I can understand when you play one format for the country and are counted as one of the best Test players in the side, you want to make it count. He's very motivated to do well for the country and the team, and is someone who takes a lot of pride. He works hard and doesn't mind grafting for his runs. He's a hard-working player and has done it so many times in the past as well. This was probably his best innings, taking along Saha. He (Saha) did it in West Indies, in Calcutta and against Bangladesh as well. But this game was different, and happy for Saha. He's always smiling, always happy and never complains about anything."
Virat Kohli - captain, India (1/4): "Yeah, for sure (we fancied our chances). We got ourselves into a very good position. Losing the toss on such a good wicket wasn't easy. Not being able to take the field and see the opposition get big runs wasn't easy again. We came back beautifully. Two guys batting out of their skins. KL Rahul and Vijay were outstanding but Pujara-Saha's partnership was one of the best I have seen. Then Jaddu getting quick runs in the end. We didn't expect to get 150 ahead to be honest. We thought if we get within 20-30 runs withing their total, it will be good for us, but credit to those two guys (who got us a lead) and we had a shot at winning the game. Yesterday, we got two wickets but credit to those two guys (Handscomb and Marsh) who batted well. Guys were motivated to push themselves for the team. We have done it so many times in the past and this game was another example of that happening for us."
Steven Smith - captain, Australia: "Yes, it was (a nervous final day). Proud of the way the boys were sticking out today. We are trying to be resilient and stand up in those tough moments. The way Handscomb and Marsh batted today was fantastic. They played beautifully today and didn't look like getting out for a while there. To build a big partnership and bat for as long as they did was really crucial. I am really proud of them. This was a pretty nice wicket. Was important to score big first innings runs. We probably left ourselves a few out there. 450 wasn't enough to win this game, and then India batted beautifully in their first innings as well. Nice to get some runs and hopefully I can get in the next match too. I thought Maxwell was sensational in the first innings; that's the way we want him to play. He was sensible and had a good defence, which is important in Test cricket. Cummins bowled beautifully. The ability to bounce out batsmen on this wicket was magnificent. Great to have him back. Not too often you spend 210 overs in the field. Long couple of days out there but the boys dug deep and tried their best. That's all you can ask. To come out with a draw on day five, I am really proud. 1-1 in the series and massive game in Dharamsala. Really excited. Can't wait to go there and play."
Time for presentations..
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Handscomb: "It was obviously tough conditions out here today. Now looking forward to Dharamsala. I have always liked playing against spin from my young days. It was something that I did with my dad when growing up. He used to throw the balls and I have to run down the wicket and try and defend or play them anyway I could. It was nice to bring those skills over here against the world's best in their conditions. It was an enjoyable innings today. The plan was to stick to our individual plans and hopefully the result will take care of itself. We are very happy as a squad. After three Tests to be 1-1 against such a talented team in their own conditions is amazing."