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Adelaide: Australia completed a 2-1 series victory over India on Monady after the fourth and final Test ended in a draw at Adelaide Oval.
With neither side in a position to push for a result, India batted out the last day before the opposing captains agreed to an early finish.
Australia skipper Ricky Ponting congratulated his side on their success and paid a glowing tribute to India after a hard-fought series.
Indian captain Anil Kumble repaid the compliment as the two sets of players embraced each other on the field, in stark contrast to the bitter ending to the Sydney Test earlier this month when a feud almost forced the cancellation of the tour.
"I'd like to congratulate Ricky and his team and then congratulations to all my teammates for the effort shown right through the series," Kumble said.
"It was always a challenge to come to Australia and do well, but we showed that Indian cricket is here and competing against the best and the way that we played, I'm really proud."
India, who needed to win the match to draw the series, finished the game on 269 for 7 in their second innings, an overall lead of 232.
The final day was dominated by India's dashing opener Virender Sehwag and the emotional retirement of Adam Gilchrist.
Gilchrist capped his last day in Test cricket with two catches to take his final career tally to 416 dismissals, three days after breaking the world record for a wicketkeeper.
Brilliant knock
Sehwag thumped a brilliant 151 and occupied the crease for more than 5 hours, contributing more than half the Indian total.
No other Indian batsman made more than 20, though most seemed content simply to bat for time rather than runs once the prospect of a result faded.
There was never much chance of a result after both teams made in excess of 500 runs in their first innings, but Sehwag at least gave the Indians a glimmer of hope of getting far enough ahead to set up an early declaration on the last day.
The 29-year-old blazed his way to his 13th Test century off 123 balls before lunch, but was forced to curb his attacking instincts when Rahul Dravid suffered a broken finger.
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