Photo: AP

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy was lost in a 2-1 series defeat but there was a lot to like about how Steve Smith's men almost pulled off what many had thought impossible.. Jon Pierik gives his tour ratings.

MATT RENSHAW

Four Tests, 232 runs at 29, two 50s.

For a man who had been in doubt to make the tour, Renshaw has established himself at the top of the order. He was unflappable amid a highly charged atmosphere although his form did taper off. Dropped a crucial catch in final Test. He was in the runs early - literally in the first innings in the opening Test in Pune when he had a stomach bug while compiling a half-century. His best knocks came in the first innings - he also passed 50 in Bengaluru and made 44 in Ranchi - but was worked over by paceman Umesh Yadav in the series decider.

Rating: 7

DAVID WARNER

Four Tests, 193 runs at 24.13, one 50

Was the biggest disappointment, with his struggles on the subcontinent continuing. He needed to perform for Australia to win. Passed 50 only once - in the first innings of the final Test - and was troubled by spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (dismissed Warner nine times through his career) and Ravindra Jadeja, the latter having the benefit of landing in the rough. Warner had spoken about tempering his aggressive approach but there were times he appeared stuck in an uncomfortable middle ground. His career average has now slipped to 47.71.

Rating: 3

STEVE SMITH (captain)

Four Tests, 499 runs at 71.28, three centuries

Photo: AP

Couldn't keep him out of the headlines. Was the stand-out batsman from either side, reaffirming why he is arguably the world's best. His unconventional technique and soft hands allowed him to counter the spin, while his mental strength meant he could bat "big". His 109 in the second innings in Pune was a knock for the ages as Australia took a 1-0 series lead. Tactically he was solid but was embroiled in DRS controversy in the second Test when he admitted to illegally looking in the direction of the dressing room for assistance, while in Dharamsala he appeared to mouth the words "f----ing cheat" after India's Murali Vijay had claimed a low catch that was later overturned by the video umpire.

Rating: 9

SHAUN MARSH

Four Tests, 151 runs at 18.87, two 50s.

Missed most of the home summer through injury but was recalled ahead of Usman Khawaja because of his good record against spin. However, he failed to deliver when it counted and his Test career is again on a knife-edge. His best knock was a Test-saving 53 off 197 balls on the final day of the third Test on Ranchi's so-called craters of doom when he and Peter Handscomb shared in a 124-run stand. Jarred his back while fielding in the final Test and required a brace but scores of four and one were a disappointing end at a time when runs were precious.

Rating: 5.5

PETER HANDSCOMB

Four Tests, 198 runs at 28.28, one 50

Would be largely disappointed by failing to deliver a major score for he had completed the grunt work by reaching double figures in seven of his eight innings. As was the case with Shaun Marsh, saved his best work for the match-saving 72 not out on the final day in Ranchi. Still boasts a career average of 63.33 but this was a major learning experience.

Rating: 6

MITCH MARSH

Two Tests, 48 runs at 12; five overs, 0 wickets

Had a shoulder injury over summer but was nursed back to match fitness in time for the series opener. Was seen as a key component, giving the tourists a third seamer. However, he was barely given the ball in Pune and Bengaluru and failed to have an impact with the bat. Was then forced home with a shoulder injury, although he would struggled to have retained his spot.

Rating: 3

GLENN MAXWELL

Two Tests, 159 runs at 39.75, six overs, 0 wickets

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Drafted into the XI once Mitch Marsh was hurt and delivered a breakthrough century in Ranchi, along the way sharing with Smith in the highest fifth-wicket partnership for Australia in India. This was an innings largely without the party tricks; rather it was about playing each ball on its merit. Hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy rested with him in the second innings in Dharamsala but when he fell for a team-high 45, the series was all but over. Was given only a handful of overs, with Smith not appearing to trust his spin.

Rating: 7

MATTHEW WADE

Four Tests: 196 runs at 32.66

Like his skipper, the chirpy gloveman was never far from the headlines - but has solidified his spot. Provided some handy knocks with the bat, including a gritty 40 in Bengaluru, 37 in Ranchi and a half-century in the first innings in Dharamsala to ensure a competitive first innings total of 300. After the disaster of 2013, Wade redeemed himself with the gloves in cricket's toughest terrain, both through his catching and stumpings on unpredictable surfaces. Never short of a word, he found himself in a heated exchange with Jadeja in the final Test.

Rating: 7

MITCHELL STARC

Two Tests, 5 wickets at 30.2, 118 runs at 29.5

The tourists were dealt a major blow when their spearhead was sent home because of a right foot fracture after the second Test. He had played a key role in the Pune win - Australia's first in India since 2004 - when his robust 61 lifted the visitors to 260. He then stunned the hosts by dismissing India captain Virat Kohli for a second-ball duck. He would claim successive wickets with the second new ball on day four in Bengaluru but India would knot the series. Initial prognosis is that he will be fit for the Champions Trophy in June.

Rating: 7

STEVE O'KEEFE

Four Tests, 19 wickets at 23.26. 45 runs at 7.5

The left-arm finger spinner was the shock hero of Pune, claiming match figures of 12-70 - the best return by an overseas spinner in India - as Australia stormed to a 333-run win. His renewed fitness and a decision to quit alcohol kept him fresh but he would take only seven more wickets in the series, including 3-199 off a marathon 77 overs in the second innings in Ranchi. The pitches were less friendly after Pune and the locals adjusted more to his straighter deliveries.

Rating: 7.5

NATHAN LYON

Four Tests, 19 wickets at 25.26, 31 runs at 3.7

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Where O'Keefe was the star of Pune, Lyon was the hero in a losing effort in Bengaluru where Australia's most successful finger spinner claimed a career-best 8-50 in the first innings. That was tempered when he took only three more wickets in the next three innings. Had been under immense pressure heading into series, where his reliance on bounce was said to be his undoing on the subcontinent, but he studied Indian counterpart Ravi Ashwin closely and reinvented himself. He would have the better of Ashwin, his wickets coming at an average of 25.26 compared to Ashwin's 27.38 and at a superior strike rate of 52.5 compared to the Indian's 64.3.

Rating: 7

JOSH HAZLEWOOD

Four Tests, 9 wickets at 32.77, 6 runs at 2

The quiet achiever of Australian cricket, he bowled better than his figures suggested. He showed great heart and even fire, never more evident than his spell with Pat Cummins early on day two in Dharamsala, a session India opener KL Rahul would say was the most hostile he had encountered. Hazlewood would get fellow opener Murali Vijay with Cummins later snaring a plucky Rahul. Would have liked a few more wickets but his ability to restrict runs was vital.

Rating: 7.5

PAT CUMMINS

Two Tests, 8 wickets at 30.25, 33 runs at 11

Selectors made the bold call to send an SOS for the injury-prone quick when Starc was hurt - and the decision could not be faulted. In his first Test since his one and only in 2011, he grabbed four wickets in the only innings he bowled in Ranchi, his speed as quick at the start as it was at the end. Precautionary scans gave him the all-clear to resume in the series decider, and he would back up with three wickets in the first innings. At 23, appears a champion-in-waiting - should his body hold up.

Rating: 7.5

USMAN KHAWAJA

DNP

Was the only Australian to have scored 1000 first-class runs during the home summer and was unlucky to be dropped for Shaun Marsh. Selectors still have reservations about his ability to handle spin after his poor tour of Sri Lanka last year.

JACKSON BIRD

DNP

Reserve paceman impressed in the nets and was in calculations to play in the final Test but Australia opted for an unchanged side.

MARCUS STOINIS

DNP

The all-rounder was drafted into the squad as cover when Mitch Marsh returned home.

MITCHELL SWEPSON

DNP

Young leg-spinner who Australia hopes can play a key role on future sub-continent tours.

ASHTON AGAR

DNP

Spinning allrounder overlooked for Glenn Maxwell come the third Test.