IND vs AUS, 3rd Test: Gritty Vihari records 2nd slowest start to innings, hits 6 off 100

While it was the need of the hour to ensure that India managed to draw the third Test of the series on the fifth day, Vihari became the second slowest batsman after England's John Murray to start an innings in Test cricket.

Sydney: India batsman Hanuma Vihari showed grit and determination on Monday as he blocked one end up to score just 6 runs from the first 100 balls he faced in the second innings of the Pink Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

While it was the need of the hour to ensure that India managed to draw the third Test of the series on the fifth day, Vihari became the second slowest batsman after England's John Murray to start an innings in Test cricket. Murray had scored just 3 off 100 balls against Australia on the same ground in 1963.

Vihari showed the intent to keep going despite pulling his hamstring in the second session. Combining with spinner Ravichandran Ashwin after the dismissal of Cheteshwar Pujara (77), Vihari showed great resistance as he refused to get tempted to play a false shot.

It looked like the game was there for India to take home as Rishabh Pant and Pujara combined well after losing skipper Ajinkya Rahane early on the fifth morning. But India lost Pant (97) and Pujara in the second session and that saw Australia claw back into the game.

But Vihari and Ashwin ensured that they held fort and did not let Australia walk away with the game.