PLAYER RATINGS. Australia could have gone without the Border-Gavaskar trophy, but there has been improvement of late. Who can hold their head up? SAY YOUR SAY
Australia missed out on taking home the Border-Gavaskar trophy after trailing by two in the first two Tests.
But from there, it was a much-improved performance as the visitors claimed the third Test before the final Test ended in a draw.
So how did every Aussie rate their performance, scroll down and have your say.
SCOTT BOLAND 2
Greg Chappell insisted Australia were wrong to drop Scott Boland after the first Test, adamant he should have featured throughout the series. Boland only played the first match and failed to find the back of the net despite scoring consecutive goals.
MATT RENSHAW 1
Lucky me, but it was a forgettable series for Renshaw and time will tell if it hurt his stock for the Ashes.
MITCHELL STARK 3
It was a huge out for Australia in the first two Tests. Played well with no success in the third Test before struggling in the final Test on a flat pitch in Ahmedabad.
MATTHEW KUNEMAN 7
Great debut Test series, taking nine wickets in three Tests. Only flew to India days before the second Test. His brilliant five-wicket haul in the third Test proved decisive in the context of that match. Has a great chance of securing a spot for future Asian tours.
DAVID WARNER 2
Struggled for form until a nasty concussion and broken elbow in the second Test ended his tour prematurely. Will return to India for the ODI matches starting on Friday with a point to prove ahead of the Ashes.
TODD ​​MURPHY 8:00 p.m
Huge praise for the poise and control he showed in his debut series, and didn’t fade at all in four grueling Test matches. His seven-wicket haul on debut will live on in Test records for a long time, and Murphy declared himself the eventual heir to Nathan Lyon’s throne (not that Lyon is showing any signs of slowing down). Fourteen wickets for the series.
ALEX CAREY 7.5
It wasn’t a happy series for Carey with the bat, but he was simply outstanding with the gloves. Former Test skipper Brad Haddin hailed Carey’s brilliant catch in Indian soil and he edged a length past Indian wicketkeeper K.S. Bharati.
PAT CUMMINS 4:00 p.m
Made the right decision to return home to be with his ailing mother after the second Test and Australia will welcome him with open arms for the ODI series. Cummins did not have a happy second test. a rare moment when he looked human on the cricket field.
NATHAN LYON 9:00 p.m
The GOAT moniker seems more and more appropriate for the tour. Lyon were down in the first Test but battled back brilliantly to end the series with 22 wickets at an average of 22. Winning performances in the third Test and days like this in India are rare and delightful. Now the most successful overseas bowler in India ever.
STEVE SMITH 5.5
By Smith’s lofty standards, he didn’t quite catch the tour as a batsman. But he couldn’t do much more as captain as he took over from Cummins for the last two Tests. In the third Test in particular, Smith’s captaincy was inspired and tactically brilliant. Was instrumental in an incredible turnaround after the embarrassment of the first two Tests.
PETER HANDSCOMB 6
A superb choice and although the selectors were heavily criticized for not picking a manager, they deserve credit for remembering Handscomb. Extremely solid with the bat and excellent in the field. Can he go to England too? It is his birthplace.
USMAN KHAWJA 9.5
Another sublime series for Australia’s Test player of the year Shane Warne. Khawaja had been relegated to waterboy duties on his previous two tours of India but finished with a rare Test century. In extremely tough batting conditions, Khawaja was excellent from the second Test onwards.
MARNUS LABUCHAGNE 6.5
I will learn a lot from this tour, but even with some difficulties, Labuschagne was still more than suitable. Labuschand got stuck at the crease a couple of times but deserved his half-century to end the tour on a high.
TRAVIS HEAD 8.5
The awkward call not to play Head in the first Test will be talked about every time Australia tour the subcontinent from now on and try to pick a horse for courses. To his credit, Head did not let the unexpected setback dent his confidence and was instrumental in the famous Test win at Indore when his heavy duty 49 not out. A well-deserved 100 for his 90 at Ahmedabad and ends at an average of 47.
CAMERON GREEN 7.5
Could things have been different for Australia in this series if Green had been fit from the first Test? Or even the second. It is entirely possible. Losing the all-rounder was a decisive blow to the body and his performances in the third and fourth Tests proved it. A maiden Test century in Ahmedabad will make England nervous ahead of the Ashes.
Originally published as India vs Australia Series Player Ratings. Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon and debutants shine