Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori has defended Pat Cummins’ decision not to declare as the third Test against India trundles towards a draw.

After weather washed out most of day one, the Aussies resisted any temptation to declare on day three in favour of building a big lead.

Stout batting by the tourists’ middle and lower-order on day four allowed them to avoid the follow on, which likely ended any chance of a result for the Aussies.

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That decision to not declare earlier has now been pulled into question. Speaking to media after play on Tuesday, Vettori said the Aussies didn’t want to be caught short.

“We always acknowledged that first-innings runs were going to be vitally important in this game,” the former Black Caps spinner said.

“You don’t really want to plan for weather, because we’ve seen on these days where it can blow past and you can get on with things, and then it can settle in.

“The conversation was mainly around, let’s make the most of this first innings, trust this very good bowling unit to be able to deliver on this wicket, like they did today.

“Unfortunately, the amount of time that’s been lost from the game has made it difficult.”

The massive amount of time lost to the weather, a weakened bowling unit due to Josh Hazlewood’s calf injury, and some beautiful batting from the Indian tail likely ended the Aussie’s hopes of securing a result.

The visitors will resume at 9-252, still trailing by 193 runs.

Cummins’ men will need to take the final wicket, and would likely bat for an hour to give the bowlers a rest – and remove and chance of India chasing a target – before bowling the tourists out themselves.

As it has for much of the Test, the weather forecast is also against the Aussies.

After an overcast morning, rain could set in around lunch and ruin the final two sessions.