Earlier, after being 0-2 early in their second innings, India continued to battle on to frustrate England on day five, the tourists doing everything possible to keep the series alive on 322-4 at tea.
The short turnaround time from the high of winning a controversy-marred Asia Cup notwithstanding, Shubman Gill's India will be outright favourites against a struggling and under-strength West Indies when the teams face-off on a green-top in the first Test in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Former India batter Ajay Jadeja defended head coach Gautam Gambhir from the criticism he has received following the 0-3 drubbing against New Zealand.
The 36-year-old all-rounder once again rose to the occasion, batting with remarkable patience, steel and a fierce will to fight. Partnering first with Jasprit Bumrah and then Mohammed Siraj, Jadeja weathered thunderbolts and mind games. His 61 not out off 181 balls, spread over nearly five hours, brought India within 22 agonising runs of victory.
There is a school of thought that having done the hard yards in the England series, Karun Nair deserves an opportunity against a weaker opposition where a century could boost his career.
Jammu and Kashmir's Shubham Khajuria struck a fighting, unbeaten century to rescue North Zone, but South Zone remained favourites to progress to the Duleep Trophy final, in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Australia held their nerve in a tense chase, edging past India by two wickets to seal the series 2-0 despite a late fightback from the visitors on Thursday in Adelaide.
Test captain Shubman Gill divulged that India is still mulling over its combination ahead of the opening Test against the West Indies in Ahmedabad on Thursday, hinting at the possibility of Kuldeep Yadav being sacrificed for batting depth and team combination.
Gavaskar said India need to put their "head down" and try and get as close as possible to Australia's total. R
The former India wicketkeeper believes the game still had some cricket left in it and that India had earned the right to continue batting.
'If we play well against those two (Ashwin, Jadeja), we'll generally find ourselves in a better position compared to when they've had a field day and run through us.'
'What they bring to the table (can) never be written off.'
Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, lashed out at England's actions and Stokes' apparent frustration.
Former India batter Yuvraj Singh feels Shubman Gill's performance on the recent England tour was nothing short of unbelievable.
'...When you come back home, when there's three spinners playing and the field's spread out, you really need to get your runs with singles. The boundaries don't come that easily.'
'He told me to remember all the hard work my father has put in to get me here.'
Indian spinner Ravi Bishnoi and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh moved up to the sixth and 10th spot respectively in the latest ICC T20 rankings released on Wednesday.
'Imagine Thala & Thalapathy in this field together!' -- a nod to the iconic duo's immense popularity.
Jatinder Singh has played 61 ODIs and 64 T20Is for Oman.
Vimal Khumar and Pradosh Ranjan Paul struck massive hundreds as Tamil Nadu piled up 399 for two against Nagaland on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match in Dimapur on Saturday.
England stayed calm under intense pressure to beat India by 22 runs on a final day of simmering tension and drama in the third Test at Lord's on Monday and move 2-1 up in the series.
India set to remain unchanged as team wants Reddy to settle in all-round role
Ravindra Jadeja and Arshdeep Singh were among the sports stars in attendance for the Mangal Utsav on Sunday.
The story of Ravichandrean Ashwin remains incomplete without the mention of Ravindra Jadeja.
Fresh from a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England, Shubman Gill's men will be eager to translate their overseas resilience into home dominance.
After the proceedings began with light warm-up and catching, the action shifted to the nets where all batters had long stints in the nets while the other pace bowlers too put in the hard yards.
Shubman Gill was batting on 31 while Rishabh Pant was not out on one at stumps after India had come back into the game with Jadeja claiming 5-65 and Washington Sundar bagging 4-81.
'If the BJP seriously addresses employment, examination integrity and systemic corruption, they might salvage their position. Otherwise, they are heading toward serious trouble in 2027.'
But even so, Jadeja's name is rarely mentioned in the same breath as some of the aforesaid all-rounders.
Kuldeep Yadav could have helped India take 20 wickets in England series, says Michael Clarke
It has become difficult for Ashwin to be even considered in the present scenario.
Speaking in a video released by the BCCI, skipper Gill reflected on his second-innings century, calling it the most satisfying of his career so far.
Ravindra Jadeja became only the third batter in IPL history to be given out for obstructing the field.
India's heroes from Old Trafford took to social media to share what the draw meant to them - not just as cricketers, but as fighters.
Here are the crunch moments that were series-defining and the contributions of the players who came of age during the English summer.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain termed Ben Stokes' decision to bring Harry Brook into the attack after India declined his offer to end the fourth Test early as "silly".
Kuldeep slips to third in ODI rankings, Maharaj regains top spot
The delivery, which Siraj played down onto the pitch in front of the crease, spun back and rattled the base of his leg stump, sparking wild celebrations in England camp.
'Firstly, I had this fear... personally I had thought that I won't lose a series in India as long as I am playing. But that too has happened.'
'It's about the huge privilege even if you are not getting the chance (to play), you are (still getting to be) with the squad. How many get to be with the squad and how many (get to) play Test cricket?'
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