Australia vs India 2018-19: 3 Best and 3 Worst Indian players in the series

Led by Virat Kohli, India defeated Australia 2-1 to win their first ever Test series down under. Barring the second Test, it was a clinical display by India as they never gave the opponent any chance of a comeback.

It all started with a hard fought win in Adelaide. The hosts levelled the series after a thumping win at Perth. India dropped Murali Vijay and KL Rahul for the third Test and brought in Mayank Agarwal for his first Test match.

Everything went according to plan for Kohli as India beat Australia by 137 runs in the third Test at Melbourne to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Kohli created history at Sydney as India drew the rain-affected fourth Test to with the series 2-1.

There were some phenomenal performances by India players throughout the series and here in this article, we take a look at the three Best and three Worst Indian players in the series against Australia.

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#6 Best: Virat Kohli

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 2

Though he wasn't at his usual best with the bat, the Indian captain had a series to remember for a long time as he became the first ever India captain to win a series down under. Virat Kohli scored 282 runs in the series at an average of 40.28, which included a brilliant hundred.

Though he was criticized after their defeat in the second Test, he made some great decision in the third Test, be it the team selection or the on-field ones. Virat Kohli also equalled Sourav Ganguly's record of most overseas Test wins as India captain.

#5 Worst: Ajinkya Rahane

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 3

India's vice-captain had a poor tour with the bat and in fact, Rahane was not at his best in the past 12 months. For a player who is regarded a lot for his abilities to play well in overseas conditions, Rahane was a disappointment in the series.

Ajinkya Rahane managed just 217 runs in seven innings at an average of 31, which included two fifties. With players like Shubman Gill scoring a lot of runs in domestic cricket, time is running out for Rahane.

#4 Best: Jasprit Bumrah

Australia v India - 3rd Test: Day 4

Jasprit Bumrah is undoubtedly the best bowler in the series. Though Bumrah and Lyon picked up 21 wickets each, Bumrah has made a lot more impact on the results of the game than the Aussie spinner.

Bumrah's 6/33 in the first innings at Melbourne turned titled the series towards India. He was consistent with the ball throughout the series and never allowed the batsmen to get on top of him. Definitely a series to remember for the 25-year-old.

#3 Worst: Murali Vijay

Australia v India - 2nd Test: Day 4

Murali Vijay's Test career is in serious jeopardy at the moment. Once touted as India's best opener in Test match cricket, Vijay's career is on a decline. The Tamil Nadu cricketer has scored just 49 runs in four innings at an average of 12.25 and was dropped after India's defeat at Perth.

Mayank Agarwal grabbed the opportunity with both hands and the chances of Vijay making a comeback into the India Test team looks very slim right now.

#2 Best: Cheteshwar Pujara

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 2

521 runs in four Tests (seven innings) at an average of 74.42, Cheteshwar Pujara is undoubtedly the best batsman in the series and deservedly given the Player of the Series award. Though Pant and Kohli scored some runs in the series, it was Puara who scripted India's series win.

Pujara scored three hundreds in the series and two of them were match-winning knocks. The 30-year-old has faced a total of 1258 balls in the series, the most by an Indian cricketer in a Test series in Australia.

#1 Worst: KL Rahul

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 3

KL Rahul had a nightmare of a Test series in Australia. The 26-year-old is undoubtedly India's worst player in the series. Rahul has scored just 57 runs in three Tests at an average of 11.40 and never made an impact in the series.

He made four single-digit scores in five innings and was totally out of form. He was dropped after the Perth Test but brought back into the team after Rohit Sharma had to return to India for the birth of his child. Time to get back to basics for the Karnataka batsman.