India formally escaped with a draw in the rain-hit third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday. The five-match series is level at 1-1.

Having helped India avoid follow-on, tailenders Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah batted for 24 more balls on the final day before the Aussies wrapped it up for 260.

The majority of the day's play was wiped out by intermittent rain, but Indian quicks reduced their hosts to 89/7 in 18 overs. Jasprit Bumrah (3/18) was brilliant in the second innings, while Mohammed Siraj (2/36) and Akash Deep (2/28) were equally good. Pat Cummins made a brave declaration, giving India a target of 275 to chase in about 54 overs.

But any chance of a dramatic final day was put out by bad light and rain that came to trouble the players with India at 8 for no loss in 2.1 overs. Multiple stoppages had made cricket impossible on four of five days. Only the second day was spared by the rain Gods, and Australia coasted to 405/7 with Travis Head and Steve Smith scoring centuries.

Indian batters, especially veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, struggled in Brisbane. Opener K L Rahul was the standout batter as he made 84 in the first innings. The fourth Test of the series will begin on Boxing Day in Melbourne.

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