Australia vs India 2020-21: India Squad Performance Ratings For The Test Series

The thrilling Border-Gavaskar series 2020-21 comes to an end with India beating Australia in their own backyard – for the second consecutive series – with the 2-1 scoreline.

It was one of the most memorable Test series where India, a team depleted with injuries to several players, were nowhere near their first-choice eleven by the time the last Test match at the Gabba commenced; only Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara played all the four Tests in the series for India.

However, the Ajinkya Rahane led group stormed back in the series, and the 36 all out in Adelaide looks far behind now. A comeback victory in Melbourne, a hard-fought draw in Sydney, and finally, an epic run-chase in Brisbane; arguably, this is India’s greatest Test series victory.

India Squad Performance Rating In Test Series vs Australia After Gabba Victory:

Rohit Sharma- 6

Matches- 2, Runs-129

Coming into the series there were serious doubts and questions over Rohit Sharma’s ability to bat in Tests outside Asia. After being delayed by a couple of Tests, finally, Rohit answered every critic. When even the home team openers struggled for runs, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill along with him put on a display of high-quality Test opening batting.

Rohit scored 129 runs in 4 innings. Though he managed a solitary fifty, he got starts in 3 of the 4 innings, but his old foe returned as the right-hander threw away his wickets after doing the hard work in the early phase of his innings.

Shubman Gill-8.5

Matches-3, Runs-259

If not for any injury, Shubman Gill’s performance in Australia has sealed his spot for the Test series against England later in the year – both home and away. Gill, replacing his Under-19 captain Prithvi Shaw after the Adelaide Test, scored 259 runs in 3 matches at an average of 51.80 with the help of a couple of half-centuries.

In a nutshell, Gill looked like at home while facing the fast bowlers. The 21-year-old was solid, calm, and didn’t hesitate to take on the short balls. With Gill and Rohit, India finally has a trustful opening pair in the overseas conditions.

Cheteshwar Pujara-8.5

Matches-4, Runs- 271

While Cheteshwar Pujara looked a bit more vulnerable on this tour than a couple of years ago – Australian bowlers did have executed their plans well – however, he once again demanded the Aussie bowlers to bowl their best ball to dismiss him.

Pujara, the spine of the Indian batting, finished as the second-highest scorer for India – 271 runs with 3 fifties. It’s no surprise that Pujara faced most balls in the series. To defend the team, and his wicket, he took a barrage of bouncers on his body.

Ajinkya Rahane-7

Matches-4, Runs-268

Ajinkya Rahane led India’s monumental comeback in the series – as a captain and as a batsman. After the 36 all-out in Adelaide, Rahane pulled the team out of the abyss in Adelaide with what is hailed as probably his best Test century.

The stand-in skipper scored 268 runs in the series at an average of 38.28 – while he did notch up a remarkable century, India could have done better had Rahane’s contributed more with the bat in other games. A series, which once looked like a complete 4-0 humiliation of the visitors, under Rahane’s leadership ended with a victory by 2-1 margin.

Rishabh Pant-9.5

Matches-3, Runs-274

There are very few players who bring out contrasting emotions amongst fans in a matter of a few deliveries – Rishabh Pant, just like numerous other occasions, did that in Sydney. He raced to 97 in a blazing style, igniting the hope of a win in the fourth innings, but got out in a very Pant-Esque manner; but that’s how he plays.

Although in Sydney, he got out for 97, however, in Brisbane, his 89* was enough to see India home in the last overs of the match, earning him the Man of the Match award. The southpaw was India’s leading run-scorer in the series with 274 runs in 3 matches. While Pant the batsman didn’t disappoint, his keeping needs a huge amount of improvement.

Mayank Agarwal-4

Matches-3, Runs-78

While Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have established themselves as the first-choice openers, and despite being dropped in Australia, Mayank Agarwal is not far away from the squad. Given that he played in the middle-order in Brisbane indicates that the management rates him higher than Prithvi Shaw.

Agarwal, on a personal front with the bat, didn’t have a great series to remember – 78 runs in 3 games. After failing to score runs as an opener in the first two Tests, he batted really well at the Gabba and once again proved his mettle as a long format batsman.

Washington Sundar-8

Match-1, Wickets-4, Runs-84

After injuries to India’s two premier spinners, Washington Sundar was given a debut in Brisbane – and he had a debut to remember. The 21-year-old, who hadn’t played a first-class game since 2017, took 4 wickets in the match – he picked Steve Smith as his maiden Test wicket – but more notably, it was his resilient batting against the home pacers in India’s first innings which kept India in the game. Sundar notched his maiden Test fifty on his debut Test innings.

His contribution to the victory was as significant as anyone else’s. After 62 in the first innings, Sundar scored a vital and quick 22 in the second and gave terrific support to Pant.

Shardul Thakur-8

Match-1, Wickets-7, Runs-69

That Shardul Thakur picked 7 wickets in the match — and also scored a half-century is a massive statement on not only Thakur but also on India’s bench strength; Thakur was given a match after two years, after five first-choice pacers were injured, after two youngsters made their debut.

The 123-run stand between Thakur and Sundar kept India in the game in Brisbane and in the series, which the visitors went on to win.

Navdeep Saini-5

Match-2, Wickets-4, Runs-8

Navdeep Saini made his Test debut in the third Test at Sydney. While Saini was impressive in Sydney, his second game in Brisbane was cut short after he limped off the field. Saini picked 4 wickets in two matches. With plenty of pacers injured, and if he is fit, Saini may get opportunities against England.

Mohammed Siraj-8.5

Matches-3, Wickets-13, Runs-19

That is some debut series if you end up as the leading wicket-taker of your team – Mohammed Siraj snared 13 wickets, including his maiden five-wicket haul, in the 3 matches he played. After making his debut in the second Test of the series, he was the leader of the attack by the last Test came by.

The 26-year-old Siraj, who lost his father recently will give a run for a place in the side to the likes of Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar when they are fit.

T Natarajan-6

Match-1, Wickets-3, Runs-1

T Natarajan’s fairytale story continues: from an impressive IPL, where he bowled the most number of yorkers in the season, to debut for India in ODI, then T20I, finally in Test cricket as well. From being picked as a net bowler to making debut in all three formats, even the best of the astrologers wouldn’t have forecasted. The left-arm pacer picked 3 wickets at the Gabba, including that of centurion Marnus Labuschagne.

Ravindra Jadeja-8.5

Matches-2, Runs-85, Wickets-7

While Ravindra Jadeja played just a couple of Tests, he ended the series with the best average, both batting, and bowling for Team India; shows the importance of India’s premier Test all-rounder and what the team missed in the other two matches. In two innings he batted, he scored 85 runs, and was dismissed once; he took 7 wickets at a marvellous average of just 15.

Jadeja missed the Adelaide Test with a double blow of concussion and hamstring, and the Brisbane Test with a thumb injury – he was ready to bat despite a fractured thumb.

Ravichandran Ashwin-9

Matches-3, Wickets-12, Runs-78

Ravichandran Ashwin was at the forefront of India’s charge with the ball as he dismissed Australia’s talisman batsman, Steve Smith, not once, but thrice in 3 matches. Ashwin, after years and years of travelling, looked at his absolute best while bowling in overseas conditions. He missed the last Test in Brisbane, but not before saving India the Sydney Test batting for 128 balls while also battling severe back pain.

Hanuma Vihari-6

Matches-3, Runs-72

What Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin achieved in Sydney on the fifth day is remarkable. Vihari, who also missed the Brisbane Test, may not play another Test for a long time owing to his injury and since captain, Virat Kohli will return to the eleven. However,

He ended with just 72 runs in 3 matches but as he stood ground for 161 balls in Sydney to combat the attack of Aussie bowlers and his own hamstring pain has elevated his stature in Indian cricket.

Virat Kohli-7.5

Match-1, Runs-78

Virat Kohli played just a solitary Test in the series and had to return home to attend the birth of his child. He was looking set for a century in Adelaide – his first of 2020 – but unfortunately got run out on 74. India dearly missed their premier batsman, but it also gave an opportunity for others to step up, and they did.

Kohli returns for the series against England. His team selections will also be under the scanner like in Adelaide picking a couple of players who were dropped in Melbourne

Wriddhiman Saha-1.5

Match-1, Runs-13

Wriddhiman Saha was selected over Rishabh Pant in Adelaide for his superior keeping standards over the left-hander. However, he dropped a couple of catches, both difficult though. Saha was dropped for the rest of the series but may find a place in the eleven in the home series against England as Pant’s keeping still requires heavy improvement.

Mohammed Shami-1

Match-1, Wickets-0

Mohammed Shami was the first pacer, or for that matter the first Indian player, to be injured in the Test series. Shami was ruled out of the series after the first Test owing to a wrist fracture he sustained while batting in India’s second innings in Adelaide. He went wicketless while bowling in the first innings, and didn’t bowl in the second innings.

Umesh Yadav-4

Matches-2, Wickets-4

Umesh Yadav picked 4 wickets in the two matches he played before sustaining a calf injury in Melbourne. With the rise of youngsters, and other senior pacers gaining fitness, it would be interesting to see if and when does Umesh Yadav next plays for India.

Jasprit Bumrah-8.5

Matches-3, Wickets-11

Jasprit Bumrah didn’t lose heart in watching the other pacers being ruled out one by one from the series. Bumrah, if anything, only elevates his game when put under pressure. He snared 11 Aussie wickets in 3 matches before being ruled out of the last Test owing to a groin strain.

Prithvi Shaw-1

Match-1, Runs-4

If there is one player who would be the most vulnerable of his spot in the squad after the Australia series, it is Prithvi Shaw. Mayank Agarwal will be picked as a backup for Rohit and Gill. Shaw was dropped after his scores of 0, and 4 in Adelaide he was bowled on both occasions. Other than improving his technique, the 21-year-old would be advised by the management to pile on runs in domestic cricket to make a comeback in the eleven.

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