After the fourth Test in Ahmedabad ended in a draw, India secured a 2-1 series victory over Australia and retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the fourth consecutive year.
After the first three Tests concluded in less than three days on ferocious turners, the final match of the series was played on a lifeless surface where only 22 wickets were taken in 15 hours.
Travis Head (90) and Marnus Labuschange (63 not out) propelled Australia to safety on Monday’s fifth day despite trailing India by 91 runs. The match was called off early with neither team able to secure a victory.
The sides shook hands after Cheteshwar Pujara’s second over of his 102nd Test.
Australia declared on 175-2 with Labuschange and Steve Smith (10 not out) at the crease. Having scored 480 runs in their first innings thanks to centuries from Usman Khawaja (180) and Cameron Green (114).
But India batted even better, amassing 571 runs with Virat Kohli (186) scoring his first century in over three years and Shubman Gill (128) scoring outstanding innings as a youthful opener.
After replacing Khawaja on Sunday, spinner Matt Kuhnemann was the only wicket to fall in the first session on Monday.
The in-form opener is suffering from an unspecified leg injury after injuring himself on the field on Sunday. He appeared in pain while running in the nets before day five’s play.
Khawaja was only eligible to bat if Australia was in dire straits and attempting to save the match.
After winning the first two Tests in a four-match series, India retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
Australia could have secured an uncommon 2-2 series result with a victory in Ahmedabad. Following their remarkable nine-wicket victory in the third Test.
India defeated Australia 2-1 in 2017 and won memorable away games in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
Australia and India will play again in June at the World Test Championship final at The Oval in London.
Australia’s next Test tour of India is scheduled for 2027, and it is highly unlikely that prominent players. Such as Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, and Khawaja will return in four years.
