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India have batted through the final day for a crucial draw in the third Test against Australia at the SCG.

Australia and India are set for a winner-takes-all Test in Brisbane after the tourists pulled off the greatest escape at the SCG in more than 50 years.

With the odds stacked against them, Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin batted through 256 balls to force a draw in the third Test on Monday as India finished 5-334.

It left India's score short of the 407 required for victory, but their 131-over effort to survive felt like a great victory.

The draw capped one of India's most resilient efforts, keeping the series level at 1-1 with the final Test at the Gabba from Friday.

India looked flat on day four, amid claims of racial abuse from the crowd and uncertainty over the future of their tour.

On the field, Vihari battled through the final session with a hamstring injury, while Ravindra Jadeja was prepared to walk out to bat with a dislocated thumb.

Australia were at times their own worst enemy, with captain Tim Paine dropping three catches, including one diving in front of David Warner from Vihari with 8.1 overs to go.

"We created enough chances to win," Paine said.

"It was an awesome game of Test cricket. I thought India fought bloody hard like we knew they would.

"But we're clearly we are disappointed not to get a win."

Vihari batted through 161 balls for 23, while Ashwin churned through 128 deliveries for his 39.

Not since South Africa batted through 117 eight-ball overs in 1964 to deny Australia has a team faced more balls to survive at the SCG.

"This was as good as winning a Test match," jubilant captain Ajinkya Rahane said.

"When you come abroad and play like this, it was really special.

"I'm really proud as captain."

Australia's toil potentially gives India the advantage going into the Gabba.

The hosts have not lost there since 1988, but rarely have their bowlers come in to a Test with a shorter turnaround on such a heavy workload.

For half of the final day in Sydney it looked like India could do the impossible and win the match.

Nursing an injured elbow, Rishabh Pant scored a rearguard 97 from 118 balls after India lost Rahane to Nathan Lyon in the second over of the morning.

He was able to ride his luck after Paine dropped him on three and 56 off the offspinner,.

The aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman hit three sixes and 12 other boundaries, regularly taking Lyon on down the ground.

His innings came as part of a 148-run third-wicket stand with Cheteshwar Pujara, who held one end in his typical resolute style as Pant exploded at the other.

Paine swore his team did not have flashbacks to Ben Stokes at Headingley in 2019, yet they couldn't have been blamed if they did.

But as he was eying his third Test century, Pant again attempted to take Lyon (2-114) down the ground but only succeeded in miscuing to Pat Cummins at gully.

Hazlewood (2-39) landed another blow before before tea, with a ball that seamed away from Pujara and took his off stump on 77.

That coincided with Vihari suffering his hamstring injury, effectively stopping India's chase as they scored just 62 runs from the last 42.4 overs without loss to save the game.