Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey

Australia vs India ODI Series Player Ratings

Australia let the trophy slip a little at the start of the series, plonking Glenn Maxwell at seven and thinking Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle were the right options. Then, Maxwell just about dropped it.

Congratulations to India on another successful ODI series – their 10th success in 11 campaigns since the 2017 Champions Trophy. However, if we are honest, it was closer than anyone surely could have expected it to be, with Australia’s selectors picking an eyelash, making a wish and blowing it in the air hoping that some of their selections would pay off.

There is no doubt the effort was there for Australia. Luck wasn’t quite. But, at the end of the day, this is a side that is as comfortable in their ODI strategy as viewers watching Theresa May put together some ‘dance moves’. It was a very similar score at the 40-over mark in each of the three ODIs for Australia, with the main difference that Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell were needed to do a rebuilding job at the MCG, which had fans thinking that this side was just about screwed, with a two year wait for an ODI series set to continue. Thanks also to nervous moments with the ball and in the field, the wait indeed continues.

For India, MS Dhoni showed that this is his world, and we are all just living in it. Everything happens on his watch, with some fantastic support, this time from Kedar Jadhav. India know they can be a lot better, but that they have won in Australia without being at their best is cause for optimism. In a time where Hardik Pandya’s case is seemingly about to reach the Supreme Court or United Nations General Assembly, the need for a sixth bowler was proved in style in the decider by India.

In this piece, I will rate each player out of ten for the series. As always, feel free to leave a comment!

Australia

Aaron Finch: Someone call 911. Front pad and stumps under severe attack. Man, aged in his 30s, identifying as Australian captain, just lets a white ball demolish them. An awful series from Finch, who, even as Australian captain, is no certainty of a World Cup spot. Serious problems. 2

Alex Carey: Another disappointment in this series. Now, even Carey, Vice-Captain of the side, is not a total certainty for England. He looks to be more suited to the lower order. His lowlight a pull shot in the second ODI that a number 11 would have even been disappointed with. 3

Usman Khawaja: Australia needed more from Usman Khawaja right throughout the summer. His Test series was under par, and despite three starts in the ODI series, he was far from his free-flowing best. That languid style looks good when you’re scoring, but when you’re not, you become known as the Mesut Ozil of cricket. 5

Shaun Marsh: Play Test cricket with a white ball and Shaun Marsh will surpass Donald Bradman. Loves the white ball game does Marsh, and it was a fantastic series form him. 224 runs in three matches. 8.5

Peter Handscomb: One of the positives for Australia in this series. Like Marsh, Handscomb looks at home in ODI cricket, scoring 151 runs at a strike rate of 103.42. 7.5

Marcus Stoinis: Threatened to do more. If Stoinis can improve his strike rotation at the start of his innings, he will be an even bigger asset than he already is. Disappointing bowling at the death in the deciding ODI. 6

Glenn Maxwell: Everyone knows Maxwell should be batting higher, except those selectors. Stuck at seven, everyone knows if he is out cheaply, Australia are not getting not much more on the board. Dropped the crucial catch of Dhoni in the decider (my grandmother could have caught it), after a good performance in the second ODI. 5

Jhye Richardson: One of Australia’s shining lights in the series. His coming of age, and can tell his grandkids he got the great Virat Kohli out three times in a single series. Figures of 6/112 across 30 overs in the series. Superb. 8

Adam Zampa: “Hey Adam, you showed some promising signs in the South Africa ODIs and the India T20Is, but we will pick a Test bowler in your place. Then, when he won’t take a wicket, we will throw you into the decider. Good luck.” Time for the selectors to treat Zampa a little better than they are. Just 34 off his ten overs kept Australia in the game. He gets a seven for his third ODI performance. 7

Peter Siddle: Unfortunately, Australia couldn’t send Peter Siddle out as a winner in his final ODI, but the guard of honour was special! The Siddle experiment didn’t work, with just a single wicket across three matches. Looked mostly ineffective. If he’s on the plane to England as part of the World Cup squad, then that’ll do me. 3

Billy Stanlake: Unlucky not to get the wicket of Virat Kohli. Bowled with good pace and intent in his only ODI of the series. Gets five for his third ODI performance. 5

Jason Behrendhorff: Series ended early due to a back injury, but promising start to his ODI career. Whether he can deliver at the death remains a question. 6

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India

Rohit Sharma: The highlight a superb century at Sydney that had us in awe of his class in white ball cricket. Tried to repeat his ugly hoick from the Adelaide Test in the Adelaide ODI, and finished disappointingly in Melbourne. Still, a fine series. 8

Shikhar Dhawan: Certainly wouldn’t have India panicking as much as Australia are regarding Aaron Finch, but that was an under par series from Shikhar Dhawan. Still the second best opening batsman this series! 4

Virat Kohli: Bounced back well after a rare failure, with the highlight an unbelievable century at Adelaide. Kohli, given the perfectionist he is, would be slightly disappointed to get out twice in key moments. Still a solid series from a fine player. 7.5

MS Dhoni: Personally thanked Glenn Maxwell after the game for a dropped sitter. In all seriousness, there were signs of the vintage Dhoni in this series, and remember, he was only dismissed once. That was via LBW in Sydney, which pitched outside leg. His scoring rate in Sydney gave fans high blood pressure, and then had fans on the edge of their seats in Adelaide and Melbourne. However, he was cool as ice in warm conditions, even battling a groin injury as the series drew to a close. An excellent series for MS, making a case for that number four spot. With India backing him, four is his best spot. 8.5

Kedar Jadhav: If you want to know what a street smart cricketer is, then look no further than Kedar Jadhav. He has commentators in a state of total shock every time he comes on to bowl. Has them in even more shock when it’s mighty effective. Followed up his bowling effort with a magnificent 61* that had Dhoni cruising and India fans shouting with joy. Crucial knock to get India home. He gets an 8.5 for his third ODI performance. 8.5

Vijay Shankar: Six overs for 23. Virat Kohli in heaven after the sight of Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammad Siraj going to all parts in the first two ODIs. 5

Ravindra Jadeja: Rarely a big wicket taker in ODIs, but hey, at least it’s not as barren for Jadeja as it is for Nathan Lyon and Peter Siddle. There was some superb fielding by Jadeja this series, including an amazing run out of Usman Khawaja in Adelaide. 6

Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Forget Ariana Grande. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has dropped the latest big hit, grateful for Aaron Finch. Finished the series as leading wicket taker. Superb in Adelaide and Melbourne especially, enabling India to get off to strong starts, as well as restricting Australia at the death. 8.5

Mohammed Shami: Impressive series for Shami, partnering Bhuvi Kumar beautifully at the top of the innings. Finished with five wickets at an economy of just over five. Solid. 7

Yuzvendra Chahal: India constantly leaving Chahal out of the ODI side is like having a stylish, effective BMW and leaving it to dust in the garage. He absolutely tore Australia apart in the final ODI, with a focus on bowling great lengths, challenging Australia’s footwork on a turning pitch. He gets 10/10 for his third ODI performance. 10

Mohammad Siraj: You don’t choose the RCB life. The RCB life chooses you. 1

Khaleel Ahmed: RCB said to be keeping a close eye on Ahmed for IPL 2020. 1

Ambati Rayudu: Entered the series looking to further lock down the number four spot. Leaves Australia wondering if he will have that spot in the World Cup. A disappointing series from Rayudu, with his innings in Adelaide a bit of a pain to watch. 2

Kuldeep Yadav: Surprised to not see Kuldeep in Melbourne. Below his best, yes, but always class. Not his series, though. 3

Dinesh Karthik: Magnificent second ODI performance to get India home. Always tries hard when he gets a chance. 6.5

There we have it.

A series that was a lot closer than expected. I am still in disbelief that the series went to a decider, but India won the key moments, and deserved to win.

It caps off a fine tour for the Indians. For Australia, the wait for a series win in any format since the ball tampering incident remains.

Thanks for reading!

PS I have partnered with the great team at onlinecricstore.com

• Purchase any cricket item and get a special discount with my name code: CHARBEL5
• Hope you enjoy my cricket tips on the OnlineCricStore Blog!

Australia vs India ODI Series Player Ratings