While the Australian quicks were better than their Indian counterparts, Nathan Lyon was no match for the Indian spinners.
India | Wickets: 23 | Avg: 27.00 | SR: 57.6
India used three spinners in all, in the series, the leading of which was of course Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin did not have a great record in Australia going into the series, but flipped it around with a brilliant performance this time around. He accounted for the wicket of Steve Smith twice in the first two matches of the test series and played a crucial role in blunting the challenge of arguably the best test batsman in the world currently.
He picked up 12 wickets from six innings at an average of 28.3 and an economy rate of 2.57 while bowling at a strike rate of 67.0, with the best of 4/55 and played a huge role in India's series victory.
Ravindra Jadeja, who played in the 2nd and 3rd match of the series, picked up 7 wickets from 3 innings at an average of just 15 and an economy rate of 2.80. He bowled at a strike rate of 32.1 with the best of 4/62. Given that he contributed handsomely with the bat as well, he provided great balance to the team.
Washington Sundar's heroics came out of the blue for India. After both Ashwin and Jadeja were injured and India did not want to risk playing Kuldeep in a crucial match, the team went with a wild card in Washington Sundar, who was not initially in the test squad.
He pocketed 4 wickets in the last match while bagging 3 in the first innings, which included the prized scalp of Steve Smith. Sundar's control meant that India could hold one end up.
Australia | Wickets: 9 | Avg: 59.11 | SR: 132.0
With no other quality spinner knocking on the door, Australia had to persist with Nathan Lyon, and why wouldn't they, when he is among the leading spinners in test cricket and just one wicket shy of the 400 mark.
Lyon completed his 100 test matches in the series and would have expected it to be a memorable one for himself and Australia. However, it was not to be as he finished with just 9 wickets from four matches at a forgettable average of 55.11 and a strike rate of 124.6, with the best of 3/72.
Lyon failed to make inroads in the Indian batting lineup at crucial junctures, especially in India's second innings in Sydney and Brisbane, which effectively cost Australia the series.
