The magnificent effort from the visitors' lower order ensured England's hopes of a first Test victory on home soil since 2005 were dashed on Saturday.

The game was brought to a close with 12 overs left as the players shook for the draw with India on 8-344 in their second innings, leading by 179 runs.

Having started the day at 1-83, India looked to be progressing steadily towards safety before losing four wickets for 18 runs in the middle of the day to slump to 8-243 at tea - a lead of only 78.

But England's hopes of finishing off the India tail quickly and setting themselves a target were crushed by the excellence of Rana and Bhatia.

Rana scored just two runs in the first innings but crucially found her form in the second, top-scoring with 80 from 154 balls, while Bhatia finished unbeaten on 44.

As part of her match-saving partnership, Rana also became just the fourth woman to take four wickets and score a half-century on Test debut as India held on for the draw.

The day had not started badly for England with spinner Sophie Ecclestone taking two wickets in the first session, including a diving one-handed catch from Katherine Brunt to dismiss the player of the match Shafali Verma for 63.

Deepti Sharma (54) was made to work hard for her half-century, which came form 157 balls before she played on, again off Ecclestone.

After lunch England looked to have put themselves in a good position, taking five wickets in the session as India moved just 78 ahead.

Ecclestone (4-118) claimed two more wickets, including India captain Mithali Raj for just four in what could be her final Test innings in England.

Australian Associated Press