AUSTRALIA'S HITS AND MISSES DURING AN EPIC TEST SERIES IN INDIA
Whose stocks went up?
*Steve Smith. Didn't seem possible but lifted his career-best form to another level, delivering three tons to finish the leading run-scorer of the series.
*Glenn Maxwell. Posted his maiden Test century in Ranchi then top-scored in Australia's second innings collapse during the third Test.
Whose stocks went down?
*David Warner. Was rightly identified by India as a dangerman prior to the series but struggled to adjust to conditions and posted just one half-century.
*Mitch Marsh. Was restricted by a shoulder injury then sent home following the second Test.
Best innings?
Smith's three centuries are all contenders but the first is arguably the best because it came on a raging turner rated "poor" by the match referee. Peter Handscomb and Shaun Marsh's stonewall in Ranchi also deserves special mention.
Best spell?
Steve O'Keefe's scarcely-believable haul of 6-5 that came during India's first innings of the first Test. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood grabbing four wickets in nine balls during the second Test was also something special.
Best quote?
"Complete rubbish," captain Smith was unimpressed with counterpart Virat Kohli, who stood by his unsubstantiated claims that Australia systematically cheated in the second Test by seeking illegal advice regarding reviews.
Best record-breaking feat?
Nathan Lyon's haul of 8-50 in Bangalore represented the best Test innings figures by a touring bowler in India. Lyon has now taken 64 Test wickets against India, the only spinner with more is Muttiah Muralitharan.
Best investment?
No doubt it cost Cricket Australia a lot of money to send the entire squad to Dubai for the better part of two weeks, but the training camp helped every player immensely.
Best indicator the glass is half full?
The fact Kohli indicated it was the most hard-fought series he has endured at home as captain. It bodes well for the Ashes given England toured India late last year and were touched up 4-0.
Best indicator the glass is half empty?
Collapses of 3-21, 2-5 and 3-1 in Australia's second innings of the final Test. It was the sort of poor batting performance that was all too common during their nine-Test losing streak in Asia that preceded the boilover in Pune.
Biggest surprise?
The side's dominance over Kohli. The superstar started the series with many good judges rating him the best batsman in the world ahead of Smith. He finished it with just 46 runs at 9.2.
Biggest regret?
Smith's illegal glance to the stands in Bangalore. The fresh-faced skipper was contrite after the incident that changed the narrative of what was an engaging series of quality cricket.
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