India pull off draw against Australia in Sydney Test
Sydney: Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin batted out the entire evening session on day five to eke out a memorable draw against Australia in the third Test here on Monday.
Vihari (23 not out off 161) and Ashwin (39 not out off 128), who got together in the 89th over of India's second innings, wore down Australia by batting for more than 42 overs. India ended up with 334 for five in 131 overs.
Starting the day at 98 for two and needing 309 for victory, Cheteshwar Pujara (77 off 205) and Rishabh Pant (97 off 118) kept the fight going for India with a 148-run stand after losing skipper Ajinkya Rahane (4) early.
Vihari, who was limping for a major part of his innings due to a hamstring injury, and Ashwin kept the Australians at bay with a marathon match-saving effort. The duo batted for 42.4 overs.
The series remains tied at 1-1 going into the fourth and final Test, beginning at the Gabba on January 15.
Brief scores: Australia 338 and 312/6 decl
India 244 and (target 407) 334/5 in 131 overs (Cheteshwar Pujara 77, Rishabh Pant 97, Hanuma Vihari 28 no, R Ashwin 39 no; Josh Hazlewood 2/33, Nathan Lyon 2/114).
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18 dead, 6 critically injured in Andhra Pradesh cracker unit explosion
Vetlapalem (Andhra Pradesh) (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said 18 people died and six were critically injured in the cracker unit blast here in Kakinada district on Saturday.
The intensity of the explosion at Vetlakpalem village in Samarlakota mandal was so strong that the bodies were flung into nearby paddy fields, said a police official.
"So far, we have information that 18 people were killed and six critically injured. I am on my way to the spot," Anitha told PTI
An investigation is going on into the cause of the fire, which led to the blast, police officials said.
Kakinada Government General Hospital superintendent said the hospital received seven patients with burns ranging from 90 to 100 per cent. He said they are under treatment.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed sadness over a large number of cracker manufacturing workers losing their lives at Surya Fireworks, said an official press release.
"The explosion at a crackers manufacturing unit at Vetlapalem village in Kakinada district has really pained me. Multiple people losing their lives in this accident is sad," said Naidu in a post on X.
Horrifying scene played out amid lush green paddy fields as locals were seen shifting bodies in 'barakalu', sheets made of fertiliser bags.
Fire and smoke emanated from the blast site, and an ambulance rushed to rescue the injured.
Naidu said he spoke to officials over the accident and directed them to extend immediate help to the victims.
We are monitoring the rescue efforts and will come to the aid of the affected families, he said.
Up to 20 people were working in the crackers unit when the blast occurred.
Naidu directed senior officials and ministers to visit the accident site.
Police have deployed drones to locate body parts that were flung into nearby agricultural fields.
