India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1 after a drawn final test match at Narendra Modi Stadium. This victory marked India’s fourth successive series win against Australia. It was an exciting bilateral contest between the two highest-ranked red-ball nations, filled with spin supremacy and shattered batting records. Here are the top five players from the BGT 2023 edition:
#1 Ravichandran Ashwin (India)
Ravichandran Ashwin was a key figure in India’s victory, taking 25 wickets across the series. The off-spinner picked up the Player of the Series award for his efforts. His most impressive performance came in the third Test in Mumbai, where he bagged his 30th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Ashwin’s spin wizardry played a crucial role in dismantling Australia’s batting lineup throughout the series.
#2 Ravindra Jadeja (India)
Ravindra Jadeja returned to international cricket in style after missing out on several major events. He claimed a five-wicket haul on the very first day of the Nagpur Test and went on to add two more wickets in the second innings. Jadeja also showcased his mastery with the willow and played a robust knock of 70 runs off 185 balls in the same game. He then went on to bag a seven-wicket haul in the third innings of the Delhi Test.
#3 Usman Khawaja (Australia)
Despite facing visa issues, Usman Khawaja was one of the best batters of the series. He emerged as the top scorer with a tally of 333 runs from seven innings, averaging 47.57, the highest among visiting batters who played three or more games. His most notable performance came in the first innings of the Ahmedabad Test, where his unforgettable stand of 180 runs played a pivotal role in setting the humongous total of 480.
#4 Nathan Lyon (Australia)
The veteran off-spinner, Nathan Lyon, completed 50 test wickets on Indian soil, joining the club of elite foreign bowlers. He finished second in the wicket-taking charts with a tally of 22 wickets from just four games, tied with Ravindra Jadeja. His prowess of striking 11 wickets at Holkar Cricket Stadium earned him the honor of Player of the Match, making him the only visiting player to do so.
#5 Virat Kohli (India)
Virat Kohli was emotional when he raised his willow upon the sky to celebrate his 28th ton in the red-ball format. It was a special moment for the fans of Indian cricket as the ‘Modern Master’ brought up his century in Whites after an awaited halt of exactly 3 years, 3 months, and 15 days. Although he did not have a good start to the series, he ended up as the second-highest run-getter of the series with 297 runs in seven innings. Kohli’s incredible innings had a lion’s share in India taking a first-inning lead of 91 runs as he stood on the crease for more than 116 overs.
In conclusion, the BGT 2023 was an exciting contest that saw India emerge as winners yet again. The players mentioned above were the standout performers of the series, and their efforts helped shape the outcome of the tournament. The victory was special for India, considering the absence of key players due to injury and COVID protocols. The next edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is eagerly awaited by cricket fans worldwide.
