India (14/1 to draw Fourth Test) spinner Ravi Ashwin has come out and defended his side as they sit on the verge of a 4-0 series whitewash against Australia following another difficult day for the Asian outfit.

The tourists continued to struggle against the Baggy Green caps and now find themselves on 166-6 as they hope to chase down a monumental total of 500 to win the game on the final day on Saturday.

It would take an impressive performance from the India middle order to even contemplate earning a draw in this fourth and final Test, with Australia’s bowling attack causing all sorts of problems for India throughout the series.

Ashwin managed to record figures of 2-73 in Australia’s second inning before the home side declared in a strong position with a handsome lead.

The bowler has admitted India (5/6 to score 230 runs and over) have been outplayed throughout the series.

He said: “We are extremely disappointed but there is no need for embarrassment.

“It’s a sport and at the end of the day we have all competed hard at the ground, it’s not like we’ve chucked it away.

“We’ve given it everything we had, yes, we’ve come up short on occasions.”