Former Australian Test cricketer Brad Haddin has praised India's ability to force a draw in the fourth Test against Australia at the SCG.
Speaking on 1170 SEN Breakfast, Haddin admitted he was caught off-guard by the fightback from the Indians on the final day of the Test match.
“If I’m to be honest, I didn’t see this coming at all,” Haddin said.
“The way India performed yesterday when they could have just shut up shop and played for a draw, but the (Rishabh) Pant tactical move by (Ajinkya) Rahane I thought was outstanding.
“If you have a closer look at it, he (Rahane) sent Pant out to try and move the game forward and Pant did exactly that. He played brave and he made Tim Paine make some decisions as captain on the last day which I thought tactically was really good.
“Then (Hanuma) Vihari came in, and he’s a very similar player to (Cheteshwar) Pujara, they can just shut the game down and that’s exactly what he did.
Haddin praised Indian stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane's brave tactical decisions, as well as the fight and character of the Indian team that is without a handful of its biggest stars.
“Rahane hasn’t lost the game as captain, he was really brave yesterday to give India a little sniff,” Haddin said.
“I thought the runs were always too much for them, but he gave them a sniff.
“They’re showing some really, really good character this India team. They’ve got a lot of injuries, they’ve lost their captain, they’ve lost three fast bowlers, Jadeja’s got a busted thumb. They’re showing a lot of character.”
The fifth and deciding Test between Australia and India begins on Friday at the GABBA.