Ravichandran Ashwin

India captain Ajinkya Rahane said his team's draw in the third test against Australia felt like a victory after the touring side pulled off a great escape at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Australia coach Justin Langer gave under-fire skipper Tim Paine his '100 percent' support and blasted criticism of Steve Smith as 'absolute rubbish'.

Tim Paine and Ravi Ashwin had a heated exchange during the Sydney Test match that ended in the wicketkeeper accusing the spinner of being disliked by his teammates.

Former Australia skipper Steve Smith dismissed talk of a form slump but credited a more positive attitude after his battling century against India in Sydney Friday.

A resilient India bounced back from their embarrassing first Test exploits to bundle out Australia for just 195 and take a grip on a riveting opening day of the second Test in Melbourne Saturday.

India proved there is life without captain Virat Kohli as they bowled Australia out for 195 then weathered a fierce pace assault in the late afternoon to dominate the opening day of the second test in Melbourne.

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma led from the front to spearhead his team's charge to their fifth and second consecutive IPL title on Tuesday.

Former South Africa seamer departs after loss of Kolpak status

Delhi Capitals spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said he wouldn't be giving any more warnings after he resisted taking a controversial 'Mankad' run-out in the Indian Premier League.

Australia's Steve Smith has denied trying to erase Rishabh Pant's guard in the batting crease during the third test against India on Monday, saying he had been marking centre as he always does.

The alleged racist abuse of Indian players by fans at the third Test in Sydney is just the latest in a litany of similar incidents to mar sport in Australia.

India were battling to avoid defeat against Australia after losing two wickets before the close of play Sunday in the third Test.

Debutant Will Pucovski and Marnus Labuschagne smacked half-centuries as Australia recovered from an early setback to build a promising first innings in the rain-hit third Test against India.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson enters the New Year as the top-ranked test batsman after leapfrogging Australia's Steve Smith and India skipper Virat Kohli in the latest official rankings issued on Thursday.

Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane led India to a dominant eight-wicket win over Australia in the second Test Tuesday, levelling the series 1-1.

Australia'e makeshift opener Matthew Wade sas he's happy to remain at the top of the batting order for the remainder of their Test series against Australia.

India paceman Mohammed Siraj was urged by his captain Virat Kohli and his mother to stay in Australia and push for selection in the test side rather than head home to grieve with his family following the death of his father last month.

Australia's world-class pace attack dismissed India for their lowest ever Test score of 36 to leave the hosts needing 90 to win the opening Test after an incredible batting collapse.

Ravi Ashwin took four wickets with Australia all out for 191 in their first innings to trail India by 53 on day two of the day-night Test in Adelaide.

Also, Rohit's IPL playoff struggles continue, but Mumbai neutralise Axar's threat