Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has said that fast bowler Scott Boland proved to be a game changer for Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. He believes that if Boland was not in the team, Australia would have lost the series. Ashwin pointed out that his round-the-wicket bowling played an important role against India’s left-handed batsmen. Ashwin retired from international cricket during the series against Australia.
Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “Everyone says that Pat Cummins did very well in the series, but he was seen struggling against left-handed batsmen. Australia were fortunate to have Scott Boland join the team. If Boland had not played, India would have won the series. Josh Hazlewood is also a brilliant bowler, but if he had played with an older bowling unit, we would have won. Boland’s round-the-wicket bowling was a major factor for our left-handed batsmen.”
Scott Boland played only three matches, but troubled the Indian batsmen throughout the series. He dismissed Virat Kohli four times in the series and took a total of 21 wickets in three matches. He also took 10 wickets in the last test. He was the third highest wicket taker in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Ashwin said, “There was excitement in the series till the final session in Sydney, and it was a great series. “Australia won the series by fighting till the last day.”
Australia performed brilliantly and won the fifth Test match and won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1. This is Australia’s return to this trophy after 10 years. Scott Boland received the ‘Player of the Match’ award, while Jasprit Bumrah was awarded the ‘Player of the Series’ award.
