AUS vs IND: Top 5 performers who lit up the historic Test series
Australia and India gave everything that they got on the field, in a bid to win the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The teams fought hard and the series was eventually won by India by 2-1 thanks to their historic performance on the final day at The Gabba. Such was the competition in the Test series that the last day of the series determined the winner.
The players, both with the willow and the cherry in hand, provided some incredible performances that will remain in our memories for a long time. On that note, let us take a look at the top 5 performers in the Test series between the two sides.
5. Mohammed Siraj (13 wickets)
This man made a mark in his very first Test series at the international level. Mohammed Siraj ran in with vigour, and bowled his heart out in the series. And, he has some glittering numbers to show for his efforts. In the 3 Tests that the right-arm pacer played in this series, he picked up 13 wickets, and he is the highest wicket-taker for India in this series. Siraj scalped his wickets at an average of 29.53.
A standing ovation as Mohammed Siraj picks up his maiden 5-wicket haul.#AUSvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/e0IaVJ3uA8
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2021
4. Marnus Labuschagne (426 runs)
He has turned out to be the run-scoring machine for Australia in the last couple of years in Test cricket. And, Labuschagne just carried his excellent form into the Border-Gavaskar series as well. The right-hander plundered 426 runs in this series at an average of 53.25. In the 8 innings that he batted, Labuschagne scored a hundred and 2 fifties. It would be safe to say that he has been the best batsman from both the sides in this series.
3. Ravichandran Ashwin (12 wickets)
The tussle between Ravichandran Ashwin and Steve Smith was enticing to watch. And surely, Ashwin had Smith in all sorts of trouble in the first two Tests. The off-spinner emerged as the most successful spinner from both the sides in the series. The Tamil Nadu spinner took 12 wickets in the series at an average of 28.83. He also scored a match-saving 39* in India’s second innings at Sydney. Ashwin could not participate in the series decider due to a back issue.
2. Rishabh Pant (274 runs)
Rishabh Pant played two impact knocks playing a crucial role in India winning the series. He was the reason why the visitors managed to draw the Sydney Test while in Brisbane, he played a match-winning knock of 89* in a steep chase of 328 runs. Overall, Pant amassed 274 runs in five innings at an average of 68.50 and ended up as the highest run-getter for India in the series.
Just Rishabh Pant doing Rishabh Pant things ?#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/j4jBpVwIjL
— ICC (@ICC) January 19, 2021
1. Pat Cummins (21 wickets)
He was the stand-out performer of the series. He is the No.1 ranked Test bowler in the world, and Pat Cummins showed in this series why he is rated so highly. Cummins bowled probing lengths throughout the series, made the ball move both ways and created doubts in the minds of the Indian willow wielders. The right-arm pacer was the highest wicket-taker in the series and scalped 21 wickets at an average of just 20.05. And without doubt, he grabs the top spot in this list and deservedly won the Man of the Series award.
