India vs Australia

One of the reasons behind India's success on the last tour in 2018-19 was that they managed to keep the Aussies on the field for a long enough period in the Melbourne Test. India kept the hosts for close to 170 overs on the field in the first innings while making 443/7 and declaring. They ensured that the Aussies bowled on all four days.

Gavaskar had said after the last Test that Paine's behaviour showed his frustration and that his bowling changes and field placements were not up to mark. Paine, however, said on Thursday that Gavaskar is entitled to his opinion and it won't make an iota of a difference to his team.

Harris has not played Test cricket since the Ashes in 2019 where he was called in midway through the series, replacing Cameron Bancroft and scored 58 runs in six innings. Paine said that Harris deserved an opportunity for the amount of runs he has been scoring in the domestic Sheffield Shield cricket.

The official Twitter handle of BCCI posted a series of pictures in which bowling coach Bharat Arun was seen sharing game plans with fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Shardul Thakur. In another picture, head coach Ravi Shastri was seen giving a pep talk to the players.

Smith was caught on stump camera trying to remove Pant's guard during the fifth day of the third Test as Australia tried hard to get rid of the left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman who went on the counter-attack.

Paine said that Smith was disappointed at the way his act was portrayed. On Monday, the stump vision camera caught the Aussie batsman at the crease trying to wipe off Pant's batting guard with his shoes. "I have spoken to Steve about this and I know he is really disappointed with the way it has come across," said Paine said in an impromptu virtual press conference on Tuesday.

Paine was seen and heard trying to sledge Ravichandran Ashwin, who was involved in a solid, match saving partnership with Hanuma Vihari on Monday. On one of the occasions, the Australia skipper even claimed "at least my teammates like me, d**k****" during the spat and mocked Ashwin by asking "how many IPL teams wanted you

Paine was seen and heard trying to sledge Ravichandran Ashwin, who was involved in a solid, match saving partnership with Hanuma Vihari. But not only was Paine unsuccessful in provoking Ashwin, he dropped three crucial catches -- one each of Rishabh Pant, Ashwin, and Vihari -- that probably cost his team a win.

Trailing by 309 runs at the beginning of day 5, the Indian team lost Ajinkya Rahane early to Nathon Lyon’s delivery, but the Partnership of Pujara-Pant’ heroics and Vihari-Ashwin’ reselience helped India to lead 3rd test into a draw

Despite that, Ashwin, along with Hanuma Vihari (23* off 161 balls), showed great grit and resilience to help India secure a famous draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground and set up a compelling finale to the ongoing four-match series later this week.