Australia’s series-winning drought in India will extend well beyond the two-decade mark after coming up short yet again on the subcontinent, with the next tour not coming until 2027.
The four-match series was well and truly a mixed bag for the tourists, who seemed to get stronger as the series wore on.
There was frustration all around after the tourists were denied a win in the series finale on a placid wicket which saw just two wickets fall on day five.
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Here’s how Wide World of Sports graded the Australians’ performances in the final Test.
TRAVIS HEAD – 7.5/10
It was an impressive Test for Head in the still unfamiliar spot at the top of the order. Will be disappointed to have missed out on a century on day five. He’ll presumably return to No.5 for the Ashes but certainly made the case to open in spin-friendly conditions on the subcontinent in future.
USMAN KHAWAJA – 9.5/10
A brilliant end to the tour for Australia’s most solid batter. Khawaja has been criticised for not putting a high enough price on his wicket in the past, but showed maturity in spades to bat Australia to a strong position on the first two days. His numbers since being restored to Australia’s Test side are outstanding and there’s a tinge of regret that some of his prime years were wasted as Australia continually tried less-prolific batters over him.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE – 6/10
This Test reflected the series for Marnus Labuschagne. He looked really solid at some stages of the series, as he did on day five to end unbeaten on 63, but also looked well below his best at other stages. Would have been disappointed to have managed just three in the first innings in perfect batting conditions. Another big test lies ahead in the Ashes.
STEVE SMITH – 5.5/10
Like Labuschagne, Steve Smith will have felt he left a huge score on the table when he was dismissed for 38 on day one. Smith grafted hard alongside Khawaja to get in position for his first half-century of the series and then missed a straight one from Ravindra Jadeja. His innings was symbolic of his tour as a whole as it lacked the fluency you would typically see from an in-form Smith. Would’ve liked to get a big score like Virat Kohli did to find some form before the Ashes, but didn’t. After a series with no half-centuries, there are major question marks over his future after he again dropped hints that retirement isn’t too far away.
PETER HANDSCOMB – 5/10
Another one who would’ve been disappointed not to kick on for a bigger score in the first innings. Handscomb looked really solid in his short innings before playing down the wrong line and having his stumps ruined. The innings was Handscomb’s Test career in a microcosm – looking solid without kicking on and getting a big score often enough.
CAMERON GREEN – 8.5/10
A few years from now we’re all going to sit back and remember when Cameron Green scored his first Test century. Came in with Australia in a precarious position and completely flipped the momentum of the game. You get the sense that he’s going to do that countless times over the next decade. Struggled a bit with the ball, but certainly wasn’t alone in that regard.
ALEX CAREY – 4/10
Oh to have been a fly on the wall in the dressing room when Carey strode back in after a reckless shot on day two. Carey has shown that he is an extremely talented batter, but will need to be more responsible in big overseas Tests moving forward. The No.7 position is important in shielding what has looked to be a fragile tail this series and Carey’s quick dismissal was probably the difference between Australia scoring more than 550 as opposed to the 480 it eventually ended up with in the first innings. Another fine display behind the stumps.
MITCHELL STARC – 5/10
It’s tough to judge the performance of frontline quicks on a pitch like this one, but Australia would’ve liked a little more from Mitchell Starc. Hasn’t found the movement with the new ball yet, perhaps a sign that he’s still not fully recovered from that injury to his middle finger on his left hand. Will be better off for the run in the last two Test outings.
NATHAN LYON – 6/10
Finished with unflattering figures of 3-151 but toiled manfully on an unforgiving pitch, sending down a remarkable 65 overs. Despite receiving no help from the surface, India still struggled to get on top of Lyon, a sign of his brilliant control. Still appears to have loads left in the tank despite his advanced age. His 34 in Australia’s first innings also can’t be forgotten.
TODD MURPHY – 7/10
Another impressive outing from the young spinner, who picked up Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja. While he never matched the heights of that stunning seven-wicket haul from the first Test, Murphy remained difficult to get away in almost 46 overs. Also saved Australia from what might’ve been a loss with a first-class best score of 41 in the first innings. Looks to have the technique to be able to bat higher up the order in the future.
MATTHEW KUHNEMANN – 5/10
Struggled to have the same impact he did in Indore where he was excellent on a rank turner in the first innings. With India unable to get on top of Lyon and Murphy, a concerted effort was made to attack Kuhnemann, who was by far the most expensive of the three spinners. Played a surprisingly vital role with the bat in the second innings with Khawaja unable to open up.
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