Rishabh Pant led India’s wounded tourists to an astonishing win over Australia in Brisbane, to give them a comeback 2-1 win in the series.
The 23-year-old wicketkeeper made a sparkling 89 not out, including hitting the winning runs to hand Australia their first defeat at the Gabba since 1988.
It meant India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy having been thrashed in the first Test, and after using 20 players, having seen captain Virat Kohli return home for paternity leave, as well as lose a number of other star players to injury.
Reflecting on a superb series, Paul Radley provides his player ratings for India in the photo gallery above and for Australia in the photo gallery below. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.
Australia player ratings AUSTRALIA TEST SQUAD RATINGS: Marnus Labuschagne, 8. 426 runs, average 53.25. His formidable start in Test cricket continues to roll on, with his average now 60. 41. On another topic, if David Warner reckons you sledge too much, maybe it’s time to button it. Reuters
Steve Smith, 7. 313 runs, average 44.71. It says much about Smith’s achievements that a series average of 44.71 felt a long way short of par for him. Displaced by New Zealand's Kane Williamson at the top of the ICC batting rankings. Getty Images
Tim Paine, 6. 204 runs, average 40.80. His batting improved, but his captaincy went the other way. Seems incapable of closing out games Australia should win. His mea culpa after sledging Ashwin and three dropped catches in Sydney was cringe. AFP
Will Pucovski, 6. 72 runs, average 36. The bright young thing of Australian batting showed up well on his long awaited debut, only to miss out thereafter because of a shoulder injury. AFP
Cameron Green, 6. 236 runs, average 33.71, no wickets. It was a debut series more of promise than productivity for the 21-year-old all-rounder from Western Australia. AFP
Matthew Wade, 4. 173 runs, average 21.62. Clinging on to his place in the side after another indifferent series. His top score was 45 in eight innings. Remains to be seen whether he will be in the line up next time Australia play. Getty Images
Marcus Harris, 5.5. 43 runs, average 21.50. His stop-start Test career saw him back into the side to open in the last Test match at the Gabba, where he made five and 38. EPA
Joe Burns, 5. 63 runs, average 21. Another missed opportunity to show he is the answer at the top of the order. Had a top score of 51 not out in winning the opening game, but made a total of just 12 in the three other trips to crease he made. Getty Images
Travis Head, 4. 62 runs, average 20.66. Regarded as a fine prospect for Australia’s middle-order not so long ago. Now on the outside looking in. Run shy, and a soft dropped catch was his nadir. Getty Images
Mitchell Starc, 5. 11 wickets at 40.72. Many regard this Australia attack among the best pace batteries in Test history, but it is questionable whether Starc carried his weight in this series. They definitely needed more from him on the last day. Getty Images
David Warner, 5. 67 runs, average 16.75. Clearly not a great return by his lofty standards, with a top score of 48 in four innings. But in mitigation, he was some way short of full fitness. AFP
Pat Cummins, 9.5. 21 wickets at 20.04. Imperious. The leading wicket-taker in the series, albeit without picking up a five-wicket haul. The pitch maps of where his deliveries landed belong in a textbook. Getty Images
Nathan Lyon, 4. Nine wickets at 55.11. Went to 399 career wickets in his 100th Test just before defeat was confirmed, but he is unlikely to remember this series with great fondness, after failing to make the required impact in Sydney and Brisbane. AFP
Josh Hazlewood, 9. 17 wickets at 19.35. A perfect foil for Cummins. He picked up two five-wicket hauls, including figures of five for eight as they shot out India for 36 in the first Test. AFP
Updated: January 19, 2021, 11:35 AM