For India, a draw is the best-case scenario in this situation. The team would need a few hours of rain to wash out any hopes of Australia forcing a result.

Australia is refusing to panic about the prospect of rain cruelling its chances of getting a result in Brisbane, despite the forecast of more inclement weather.

Rain cut short Australia's improbable push for victory in the third test in Brisbane on Wednesday as India bid farewell to one of the game's great spin bowlers when Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement.