Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (24 not out) and Ravichandran Ashwin (8) managed to keep Australia at bay in the final session of the fifth day and helped India draw the third Test but the hosts sealed a 2-0 series win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Tuesday.
Virat Kohli (54), Ajinkya Rahane (48) and Cheteshwar Pujara (21) put up stubborn resistance to thwart the Australian bowlers.
The Indians were 174 for six with four overs still remaining when both captains called time on the match.