Australia ends India’s dominance at home in ODIs with a series victory: Player ratings for the visitors

India’s dominance at home for four years came to an end as Australians defeated them with a stunning 2-1 victory. There were remarkable performances from the players but it was Mitchell Marsh who stood out and had a memorable outing in India. March scored 194 runs in a three-match ODI series and also bagged the player of the series award for his stupendous show.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma & Co. were quite ordinary in all the departments with Mohammad Siraj being the only one who had a good series. KL Rahul and Virat Kohli scored half-centuries but overall the effort was way less than their capabilities.

Let us take a look at the performances of Australian players in the ODI series:

Top Order

Travis Head (7/10): Travis Head gave Australia a perfect start in the final two ODIs with a great fifty and a quickfire 33 in the last match. Head played a crucial role in making Men in Yellow victorious in the second ODI with a well-deserved half-century. He scored 51 in 30 deliveries with the help of 10 boundaries.

The southpaw scored 89 runs in the series at a good average of around 45. He has to be in sublime form to gain his spot in the XI all the time.

Mitchell Marsh (9.5/10): Batting in Indian conditions is always a tough task for any overseas player but Mitchell Marsh looked in a different zone in the series. He scored 194 runs in three games to bag the man of the series award.

With an astonishing average of 97, it is now quite clear that Marsh will open for Australia in the coming games. He scored with a brilliant strike rate of 131 and smashed 12 maximums.

Steven Smith (7/10): Seven points for Steve Smith is because of his captaincy as the legendary player failed to deliver with his bat this time. He scored only 22 runs in two opportunities he got, however, his magnificent captaincy under pressure made headlines.

Though Pat Cummins is the regular captain of the side, Smith is an experienced candidate in his absence. So, it’s all sorted for Australia in any situation.

Middle Order

Marnus Labuschagne (3.5/10): Marnus Labuschagne is undoubtedly a fine character in the squad who has been brilliant for Australia in the past few years. He only scored 43 runs in the series and faced difficulties against Kuldeep Yadav. The right-hander was sent back to the pavilion by Kuldeep on both occasions.

Labuschagne is a quality player and would surely be an automatic choice in the World Cup, which will be played in India this year.

David Warner (3/10): It’s hard to see David Warner’s name not in the opening slot but due to his fitness issues, he was out from the first two ODIs. The veteran made his way to the playing XI and batted at number four. Warner could only score 23 runs which raised questions over his position in the playing XI.

With the big tournament right up there, Warner would like to bring back his lost touch to find his place back at the top.

Josh Inglis (3/10): Josh Inglis played only one match in the entire series and scored 26 runs. He was not considered in the next two matches as Alex Carey made his way into the side. Inglis can be an integral part of the squad in the upcoming World Cup. The 28-year old has to perform in whatever chances he will get to have his name on the paper.

Alex Carey (5/10): Alex Carey played his part in the series with a good knock in the final ODI followed by his experienced wicketkeeping. He is fighting for a place with Josh Inglis in the side and will likely be the first-choice wicket-keeper for Australia in the World Cup.

All Rounders

Cameron Green (2.5/10): It was a below-average series for Cameron Green as he went wicketless in the two matches he played. The all-rounder scored only 12 runs in the only game he got a chance to bat which did not impress his fans.

He is a big player and was recently picked up by the iconic franchise Mumbai Indians in the IPL auction. Green would want to make his name count in the matches he played from here as a player like him could be dangerous in the World Cup.

Glenn Maxwell (2/10): The power hitter Glenn Maxwell played just one match in the series and failed to deliver. Having Maxwell in the squad not only boosts the batting but also the bowling department. He will certainly be in contention for Australia in the upcoming World Cup keeping in mind his experience in the sub-continent.

Marcus Stoinis (5/10): Stoinis was not at his best in the series and could only pick up three wickets. In batting, he did not bat up to his fans’ expectations and only scored 30 runs in the entire series. Stoinis is an integral part of the Australian squad and would want to bring back his lost form in Australia’s upcoming games.

Bowlers

Sean Abbott (6/10): Sean Abbott picked up 4 wickets in the three games and was the second-highest wicket-taker in the series. He bowled with a decent average of 26 and impressed his teammates. The right-arm medium pacer bowled perfect lines and lengths throughout and dismantled the Indian batting line-up, especially in the second match.

Mitchell Starc (8.5/10): Mitchell Starc is undoubtedly one of the fastest bowlers in the world right now and what makes him even more dangerous is his swinging ability both ways. Starc picked up the highest number of wickets in the series with 8 with a great average of 21.

The left-arm pacer is in magnificent form these days and if he could continue his great lines even in the World Cup, then Australia could be favourites from any moment.

Adam Zampa (7.5/10): Indian pitches are known for spinners and Zampa once again proved it. He picked up four crucial wickets in the series and helped his side achieve a remarkable victory. After going wicketless in the first two matches, the right-arm leggie picked up a 4-fer in the final game to keep the crowd silent.

For his excellent spell, Zampa was awarded with the man of the match trophy in the third encounter. What Nathan Lyon is in Test cricket for Australia, Adam Zampa is in the ODIs.

Nathan Ellis (7/10): Nathan Ellis was excellent in the only game he played in the series. The right-arm medium pacer picked up two crucial wickets in the form of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. His effort was counted a lot in the disastrous second game for India where the team was all-out for a meagre 117 runs.Ashton Agar (7.5/10): Ashton Agar was another player who played only a single game in the series and made it count. The left-arm orthodox bowler picked up 2 wickets of Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav in the last match. Agar will surely be in the probable list of Australia for the major tournament.