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Fourth Test draw hands Australia series victory over India

28/01/2008

The fourth Test between Australia and India in Adelaide ended in a draw, ensuring the hosts complete a series victory 2-1.

Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, playing in his final Test in the baggy green, captained the side with regular skipper Ricky Ponting forced to miss out in the field for a large part of the day due to a back injury.

But India, who resumed eight runs ahead on 45-1, denied the Western Australia star a victory as Virender Sehwag staged a remarkable rearguard action - batting through until late in the final session.

The opener scored 151 before he was dismissed by all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who had him caught behind by Gilchrist.

The veteran gloveman also took the wicket of VVS Laxman (12), this time off paceman Brett Lee, but the tourists always looked comfortable even as wickets fell consistently.

Sehwag anchored the innings with a superb display, smashing two sixes and 13 fours in his 236-ball effort, although no other Indian batsman surpassed 20.

Australia's confidence in securing the win looked well-founded when Rahul Dravid was forced to return to the pavilion after taking a painful blow to the hand.

And when dangerman Sachin Tendulkar (13) was run out attempting a misjudged single, the hosts' quest for victory looked on.

But with the support of Sourav Ganguly (18), Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (20), and a hard-fought nine not out from 52 balls from captain Anil Kumble, Sehwag's innings helped galvanise the tourists, who stood on 269-7 at the close.