Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21: Reviewing Team India's historical performance in every department
India came up with a spirited performance to tame Australia, Down Under, and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The win was notable for the Indians failing to field front-line players, owing to injury struggles, as the youngsters rose to the occasions and outplayed the Aussies.
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FollowTeam India is on the seventh sky following a successful outing against Australia, as it came up with a historic win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Down Under. The success is of great significance since it was a new-look, young Indian squad, that rose to the occasion, while most of the primary players were down with injuries. As India continues to celebrate, we review their performance across departments.
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Batsmen: As for India's batting, a couple of the young ones surprisingly failed to get going. Nonetheless, the one that stole the show was the young opener, Shubman Gill, finishing as India's fourth-highest run-scorer. Meanwhile, top-order specialist, Cheteshwar Pujara undoubtedly was the king of all, finishing as the highest run-scorer for the side, along with skipper Ajinkya Rahane in the second. At the top was wicketkeeper-batsman, Rishabh Pant. What was worrisome was Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw's poor form, along with unstable opener, Rohit Sharma.
Top performers: Pant, Pujara, Rahane and Gill
All-rounders: The department was undoubtedly highlighted by two men - Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. While Ashwin dominated with the ball, Jadeja was handy with the bat. It was the pair's resilience that allowed India to pull off a draw in Sydney. Among others, Hanuma Vihari was not that impressive, while debutant Washington Sundar played a game and was impactful with the bat.
Top performers: Ashwin, Jadeja and Sundar
Wicketkeepers: The department had a lone warrior in the form of Rishabh Pant. While he was impressive with the gloves, it is with the bat that he prospered, even more, scoring 374 runs in five innings at an average of 68.50, including twin half-centuries. He could have indeed finished as the series's mist successful wicket-taker, had it not been for his elbow injury in the third Test. As for others, Wriddhimana Saha failed miserably with the bat, while KL Rahul did not play a game.
Top performer: Pant
Spinners: The department had only a specialised spinner in the form of Kuldeep Yadav, who failed to feature in a single game. Therefore, taking into consideration the all-rounders, it is once again Ashwin and Jadeja. They just nailed it, with the former putting up a surprise performance and claiming the most wickets, of 12 from six innings at an average of 28.83. While Jadeja claimed seven from three, Sundar scalped four from two.
Top performers: Ashwin, Jadeja and Sundar
Pacers: The department has a surprise name that happens to be Mohammed Siraj. The pacer made his debut in the second Test and has been phenomenal since then, finishing as the highest wicket-taker for the side, claiming 13 wickets in six innings at an average of 29.53, including a five-for. He was duly supported by Jasprit Bumrah, who finished second, while Shardul Thakur was wonderful, claiming seven in just a couple of innings. Although Navdeep Saini and T Natarajan were decent, they are sure to scale greater heights in the coming days.
Top performers: Siraj, Bumrah and Thakur
Fielders: As for the safest hands on the field, Rahane was genuinely reliable. While he put down only a catch in the series, he still managed to grab six from the eight innings. He was duly supported by Rohit, who claimed five in four, while Mayank grabbed three from four. However, it was a bit shaky overall, and some easy chances did go pegging, which they will have to work upon, before the England home series.
Top performers: Rahane and Rohit
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