Sachin Tendulkar hit a match-saving 49 but fell just short of becoming the most prolific run-scorer in Test cricket as India drew the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia.

Australia had pressed for victory on the final day in Bangalore, declaring their second innings on 228 for six after posting 35 quick runs from five overs in the morning session. That left India with a target of 299 to achieve an improbable victory in a minimum of 83 overs.

Brett Lee and Stuart Clark made early breakthroughs for the touring side, but Tendulkar enjoyed half-century partnerships with Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman to halt Australia's charge.

India finished the day on 177 for four, with Laxman unbeaten on 42 and Sourav Ganguly on 26 not out as play ended ten overs early due to bad light. Tendulkar finished 15 runs shy of breaking Brian Lara's Test-record of 11,953 runs.

Anil Kumble, the India captain, hailed the spirt his side showed after twice coming back from difficult positions. In the first innings they recovered from 106 for four to reach 360 all out. In the second, they were 77 for three before finishing on 177 for four.

"Overall we played fantastic cricket," he said "On a pitch like this the toss is vital. Maybe if we'd won the toss it would have been different." Kumble was not worried that he failed to take a wicket. "This wicket has changed over the years," he said. "There's not much spin but the fast bowlers bowled brilliantly."

Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, was pleased with the way his players adapted to sub-continental conditions. "It was cracked a lot but the cracks stayed," he said. "It ended up being a pretty could strip. It was a good start. It's always difficult for us coming here and starting a Test series. There's room for some improvement."

The second Test begins on Friday in Mohali.

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