With a number of first-choice players unavailable going into the Test and a further handful picking up injuries during it, India managed to survive – and briefly threaten to win it – on a gripping final day.

The Test was marred by a succession of incidents both on and off the field that shed light, for better and for worse, on the characters of some of the individuals involved. Here are five takeaways from the Sydney Test that set the series up perfectly going into the tour finale at the Gabba.

Aussie young guns fire

Few Test debuts have been as eagerly anticipated as Will Pucovski’s. The 22-year-old was impressive during his first innings half-century. He looked compact and clearly had a range of run-scoring options at his disposal; stylistic comparisons to Jonathan Trott weren’t far off the mark.

Prior to the SCG Test, Cameron Green had looked promising in patches for Australia without setting the world alight. In Australia’s second innings, as the hosts were in pursuit of quick runs to set up a declaration, the 21-year-old hit a succession of sixes, four in total; the clearest indicator yet that Green might already have the game to not only survive, but thrive in Test cricket. Alongside Labuschagne’s runs, Smith’s emphatic return to form and Warner’s injury comeback, Australia look to have five of their top seven locked in for next winter’s Ashes

We might be approaching the final days of the Paine era

There has always been an air of convenience around Tim Paine’s captaincy. After sandpaper-gate, there were few viable candidates for the role and his spot in the side wasn’t under a huge amount of scrutiny. The appointment was an admirably pragmatic one. Nearly three years on, Paine has, at times, impressed as a statesman-like figure as Australian cricket sought to distance itself from the culture that led to the Cape Town debacle.

On the final day at the SCG, Paine endured his worst day as Australian captain. Responsible for three dropped catches and an unprovoked invective directed at Ravichandran Ashwin, Paine was neither in total control of his emotions nor his side. It’s not that far-fetched to think that his captaincy might not survive the series without a win at the Gabba.

India are an extraordinarily resilient side

Competing in Australia, especially against the attack they currently boast, is a tough ask at the best of times. To do so without Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav to name a few and with Ravindra Jadeja, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant and Ashwin all picking up knocks of varying severity during the SCG Test was even more impressive. And that’s without taking into account the mental toll the Test’s off-field events may have had on individuals.

Jadeja has already been ruled out of the Gabba Test while Vihari, too, is a major doubt. To emerge from this series with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy still in their possession would be a phenomenal achievement, one that would surpass their victory on Australian shores – against a weakened Australia – two years ago.

Pant is very, very special

The Test was dead and buried when Pant strolled out to the crease after the fall of Rahane early on day five. That was before Pant got into his groove and not only gave India a fighting chance of survival, but also an unlikely win. He played his natural game and took to the attack to Australia; Nathan Lyon in particular felt the full force of Pant’s blade.

As Pant increased the scoring rate, Australia had an altogether different problem to be worried about. It took focus off the diligent Pujara as the pair, with their contrasting styles, threatened to pull off one of the all time great heists. At 23, India have one of the world’s great batting talents in Pant at their disposal.