Australia have faced Indian spinner Anil Kumble for the last time after the Indian captain decided to retire at the end of the drawn third Test in Delhi.
The Australians were happy to leave the Feroz Shah Kotla ground with a draw and the chance to square the series 1-1 by winning the final Test in Nagpur, after India threatened to claim the series by charging to 7-613 declared on a pitch that gave plenty of assistance to the spinners as the match went on.
Responding with a first innings of 577 shepherded by Michael Clarke's eighth Test century, the tourists were fleetingly able to entertain thoughts of a miracle victory when India lost early wickets in their second innings.
But staunch batting by Sachin Tendulkar (47), Gautam Gambhir (36) and man of the match VVS Laxman (59no) allowed the home side to wriggle to safety at 5-208 declared.
Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich then played out Kumble's last spell in Tests, Hayden striking the spinner's final ball, an uncharacteristic full toss, to the straight boundary.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting had plenty of praise for Kumble, but also acknowledged the hard work ahead of his side if they are to level the series in Nagpur.
"I think we've proven in this game that our batting's certainly up to scratch in these conditions, there's no doubt about that," Ponting said.
"The challenge ahead is to take 20 wickets in Nagpur," Ponting said.
"We've got to look long and hard at the guys on the sidelines, Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle, and Jason Krejza and see if we think they can add anything to our bowling group.
"We probably need to look at Jason a little bit closer, he was named in the 12 here and believe me he came very close to playing in this Test match here.
"So with a bit more work this week he'd certainly come into consideration."
Kumble said he was looking forward to some time out of the game but would stay with the Indian team as a spectator and motivator for the final match.
The teams fly from Delhi to Nagpur on Monday afternoon.
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