Sydney Test: Draw 'As Good As Winning', Says Skipper Rahane

India skipper Ajinkya Rahane hailed his team's character Monday after they clung on for an unlikely draw in the third Test against Australia, saying the result felt like a win. Few gave India much

"Our talk coming into this morning was to show character and fight till the end. Not to think about the result," he said. 

"So really happy with the way we fought especially today but also throughout the game, even in the first innings when Australia were 200 for two and getting them all out for 338 was really good."

The resilience shown by Vihari and Ashwin, coupled with Pant's fireworks, were major pluses for Rahane, particularly after the captain fell cheaply.

Pant was moved up to number five ahead of Vihari to have the left-right combination with Pujara, a tactic that paid dividends.

"We had that strategy and it paid off. Credit to him (Pant) going out at five, the way he counter-attacked, the way he managed his innings throughout the day was really good to see.

"We know he can win a game for us from any situation, we have that belief and I think he is improving."

"And Vihari was batting really well. The last few Test matches, unfortunately, he hasn't been able to get those big scores," Rahane added.

"But today, that knock was really special. To show that motivation, to show that hunger, to hang in there for your team was really good and that's what we want from each and every individual -- to show that character on the field."