India v Australia second Test player ratings: Batting brings about downfall once again

PLAYER RATINGS: Australia’s capitulation to India inside a session has cost them the Border-Gavasker trophy. who held their head high? And who cost Australia the most? HAVE YOUR SAY.

Australia’s hopes of taking home the Border-Gavaskar trophy have already been dismissed after a rout in the second Test.

After starting day three on the front foot, the game was flipped on its head and within 90 minutes the result was basically a certainty.

So how did every Aussie rate in their performance, scroll down and have your say.

USMAN KHAWAJA 7.5

Was terrific in the first innings, with his 82 the highest score of the match. It was a scene setter for Australia and kept them in the game for two days. It’s a knock which will guarantee him a trip to England and a million dollar contract – if they hadn’t been secured already.

Khawaja produced Australia’s best batting performance of the series so far with his 81. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

DAVID WARNER 2.5

Suffered concussion and a fractured elbow during a courageous first innings 15 which was part of a 50-run partnership with Khawaja that gave Australia a solid platform. But his future remains undecided due to fitness and form issues.

MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE 5.5

Scored brisk innings of 18 and 35 in the Test to look one of Australia’s more impressive batsmen but just couldn’t crack the decent score his team so desperately needed.

STEVE SMITH 2

Forgettable Test match after a first innings duck when he was deceived by Ravi Ashwin’s slider. Then there was a brain snap in the second innings when he had a wild air swing trying to sweep and was trapped lbw.

Steve Smith struggled in both innings. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

TRAVIS HEAD 6

Caught the eye with his flashy 43 off 46 balls opening the batting in place of David Warner. It was a cameo that proved selectors got it wrong by leaving him out of the first Test. Could opening be his future or is it a one-off for the subcontinent?

MATTHEW RENSHAW 1

Played five attempted sweep shots in his eight balls before being a predictable Ashwin lbw victim. Australia is willing him on but the Queenslander seemingly has a lot of work to do at this level. Having said that, coming in mid-match as a concussion sub is not an easy assignment.

Matt Renshaw was unable to put up any resistance in his innings. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP)

PETER HANDSCOMB 7

It was a tough deck and his 72 off 142 balls was excellent, heavy-duty batting. No one faced more balls in the match. Handscomb was cool, unruffled and has been an inspired choice by the selectors.

ALEX CAREY 3

Normally so reliable, his clumsy second innings reverse sweep embodied Australia’s day of shame and recklessness.

PAT CUMMINS 4

Wasn’t Cummins’ finest Test, although his first innings 33 off 59 balls kept Australia in the match. Cummins’ field placings and bowling changes were questioned and took only one wicket in his 13 overs. His second innings first ball duck was one of the only indignant moments of his Test career.

NATHAN LYON 8

Kept Australia in the game, bowling a tremendous line and length to threaten all Indian batsmen and deserved a better fate in the match. Carried a young spin bowling attack with aplomb.

Lyon was a standout with the ball in both innings. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

TODD MURPHY 5.5

Took three wickets but wasn’t the same threat he was in Nagpur, with Mark Waugh feeling he was too mechanical and repetitive. Murphy was solid but not spectacular.

MATTHEW KUHNEMANN 4

Rushed to India and bowled some useful deliveries and his first Test wicket – the great Virat Kohli – will be a lifelong career highlight. But the left-arm spinner was out bowled by his opposite number Ravi jadeja who took 10 wickets to Kuhnemann’s two.

Originally published as India v Australia second Test player ratings: Batting brings about downfall once again