Australia Vs India 2019: Best XI of the Border Gavaskar Trophy

India on Monday created history by winning the first-ever Test series in Australia. The Virat Kohli-led side overpowered Aussies by 2-1 in the four-match series, becoming only Asian side to win a Test series Down Under.

With this historic triumph, India also retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy while missed the opportunity to win the title due to rain-hit last match at SCG. The hosts were trailing by 316 runs when the match was called off as a draw on the final day of play.

The series kept fans on the edge of their seats as it was a cracking contest between two of the best Test playing nations of the current time. Throughout the series, we witnessed some flamboyant performances from both sides. In this piece, we look at the best XI of the series:

---

#1 Marcus Harris

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 3

Australian batsmen hadn't best of the times with the bat during the series but opener, Harris surely managed to do partially well. The southpaw was the highest run-getter of the series for hosts, making 258 runs in the four matches at an average of 37.

Playing his debut Test series, the 26-year-old started well in almost every inning but could only convert a few of them into fifty-plus scores. He showed both resistance and played some beautiful shots while scoring these runs.

#2 Mayank Agarwal

Australia v India - 3rd Test: Day 1

Another debutant who came as a late inclusion to the side after Prithvi Shaw was ruled out of the series due to injury. The Karnataka born cricketer made sure to make most of this opportunity as he had an unforgettable series with the bat.

In his very first innings, the opener scored a gutsy 76-run knock at Melbourne and followed it with a cameo of 42 runs in the second innings. Pertinently, the right-handed batsman stole the limelight in the fourth and final Test as well. He made quick 77 runs which helped India post a mammoth total of over 600 runs.

#3 Cheteshwar Pujara

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 5

The hero of the series for India, Cheteshwar Pujara would remember these four matches for the rest of his life. The stalwart scored over 500 runs at an excellent average of 74, finishing as the top scorer of the series.

The 30-year-old fired three centuries including a mammoth 193 run knock at SCG, leaving Aussies helpless with his bat. He displayed a lot of patience throughout and came out as the star performer for team India.

#Virat Kohli (C)

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 5

The modern-day batting sensation also had one of the best Test series' of his career thus far. The Indian skipper touched various milestones after the exclusion of the series. He became the only Indian as well as Asian captain to win a Test series at Australian soil.

Apart from his good reign as captain, the right-handed batsman scored quite a few good knocks as well. He composed a brilliant 123-run innings at Perth while made another 82 runs at Melbourne, ending the series with 282 runs at an average of 40.

#5 Travis Head

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 3

Another Aussie batsman who scored some runs in the series is Travis Head. The South Australia born cricketer, despite being an aggressive batsman, showed commitment and played few well-crafted innings in the series.

He started on a high note in the first Test at Adelaide and followed with another beautiful knock at Perth. But, the left-hander failed to finish the series well as he was sent back to pavilion quickly in the last two Tests.

#6 Rishabh Pant (WK)

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 2

Whether it was those funny banters behind the wicket or the fiery shots with the bat, Rishabh Pant undoubtedly was the talk of the four-match Test series. The youngster interestingly ended the assignment as 2nd highest run-getter, making 350 runs at an attacking strike-rate of 74.

After contributing cameos in the first three matches, the Delhi born cricketer fired a stunning unbeaten knock of 159 runs in the final Test at Sydney. He also grabbed record 20 catches with the gloves.

#7 Ravindra Jadeja

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 3

After missing out on the initial two matches, Ravindra Jadeja responded well in the final two Tests. The left-arm spinner scalped 2 and 3 wickets at MCG in the first and second innings respectively, helping India post a comprehensive victory.

In the SCG encounter, the southpaw joined the party with the bat. He made fiery 81-run knock while again picked a couple of wickets with the ball.

#8 Pat Cummins

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 1

Without any doubt, the player of the series for Australia was Pat Cummins. The flamboyant cricketer fought hard for hosts with both bat and ball. Apart from scalping 14 wickets, he made 163 runs with the bat as well.

The 25-year-old was largely lauded by former cricketers and everybody who witnessed the series. In the third match at MCG, he picked a six wicket-haul and scored a well-fought 63 runs which surely was one of his best all-round performances.

#9 Nathan Lyon

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 2

The experienced campaigner and backbone of Aussie bowling line-up, Nathan Lyon had one more good series with the ball. The off-spinner scalped 21 wickets in the four matches, ending as 2nd highest wicket-getter of the four-match series.

He was the main force behind Australia's only win at the Perth, taking 8 wickets in the match. Aside from the third Test, the 31-year-old chipped in with wickets in almost every innings.

#10 Mohammed Shami

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 4

It was one of the best overseas tours for Indian seamers and Mohammed Shami surely was a big part of it. The right-arm pacer after a good first match at Adelaide, bowled a brilliant spell at Perth, scalping a six wicket-haul in second innings.

In the last two matches as well, he gave tourists some crucial breakthroughs. The Uttar Pradesh born cricketer finished the series as third highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets in the four matches.

#11 Jasprit Bumrah

Australia v India - 3rd Test: Day 5

The last but not the least in the list is Jasprit Bumrah who deserves much of the credit for this historic series win for India. The Indian pace-bowling spearhead picked 21 wickets in the 7 innings at a stunning economy of 2.2.

He not only finished the series as highest wicket-taker but made Aussie batsmen fight hard for each and every run. In the third Test at Melbourne, the 25-year-old bowled his career-best spell, taking 6 wickets by giving away mere 33 runs. India won that match largely due to that spell and took the lead of 2-1 in the series.

In the other three matches as well, the right-arm quickie bowled at good areas and provided visitors with the important breakthroughs.