AUS vs IND: Top 5 performers from Australia-India ODI series
The three-match ODI contest between the two superlative sides on the Australian soil turned out to be a walk in the park for the Aussies as they unilaterally proclaimed the series by 2-1 margin. India, on the other hand, did register a consolation victory in the third ODI when both the teams tested their bench strength. Overall the ODI series turned out to be a box office of flawless run-fest especially for Indian bowlers who were mainly confined and wrecked in the first two games. Here are our top 5 performers from the concluded AUS vs IND ODI series.
5. Adam Zampa – 7 wickets in 3 innings; Avg – 21; Best – 4/54
Zampa’s bowling has eventually turned out to be worth noticing mainly because of the way his other counterpart i.e Yuzi Chahal had been taken out for cleaners in the first two games. His overall bowling has been a sensational feat especially in a time where bowlers were made to face the extreme heat as the leg spinner has grabbed 7 scalps with an economy of 5.36. He was also the highest wicket-taker of the series.
4. Hardik Pandya – 210 runs in 3 innings; SR – 114.75; Avg – 105; Wkts – 1
Player of the Match was Hardik Pandya, who scored 90+ for the second time in the series, this time off only 76 balls #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/5EtuXScxVP
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 2, 2020
Despite not being able to perform his bowling duties, Hardik Pandya’s batting in this series can be termed as a biggest positive for team India. His crucial partnership with Ravindra Jadeja in the third game did justify his unerring temperament which is good signs thus allowing him to play as a proper specialist batsman. Overall in this short series, Hardik has shown the world that he can bat as a specialist batter who can not only knock the ball around but also can gobsmack at the same time.
3. Aaron Finch – 249 runs in 3 innings; SR – 90.55; Avg – 83
It was actually Aaron Finch’s ton at the top which panned out to be a polished foundation for the middle-order to milk a score of 374 in the first game. The skipper showed remarkable consistency with his blade as he aggregated 249 runs making him the highest run-scorer of the series. However, his wicket which was a fallacious lofted short towards the long-on was the only error in his batting failing him to take Australia home as he was expected to bat deep and provide the finishing touches.
2. Glenn Maxwell – 167 runs in 3 innings; SR – 194.19; Avg – 83.5
ONTO THE ROOF!
Maxwell’s turning it on now!
Live #AUSvIND: https://t.co/L7AjidJPm9 pic.twitter.com/lDT5JqvQVl
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 2, 2020
Maxwell’s batting has always been an instinctive affair and it looks like Langer’s Australia have now mastered this art. His 19 ball 45 proved to be a value-added acceleration in Australia’s first innings score in the first game. His 29 ball 63 in the following game was a much more lustrous version which by now had become too shiny for Indians to handle. He also scored a crucial half-century in the third game eventually taking Australia’s chase to a run a ball but was bowled by a ferocious yorker by Jasprit Bumrah. Apart from his aggressive intent he also maintained an overall strike rate of 194.19 in the series.
1. Steven Smith – 216 runs in 3 innings; SR – 148.97; Avg – 72
We all are aware of the kind of mockery which Steven Smith had built in terms of his batting gameplay for RR in the IPL. But when it comes to playing against India his love affair did fling his recent IPL form. His back to back 62 ball tons were the defining knocks of the series which also came out as a fitting reply to those cricket pundits who had castigated his strike rate. Along with his batting stroke play his inner ring fielding was an added delight to adore about. Smith was also named as the Player of the series.
