Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin named Aussie pacer Scott Boland as the key difference-maker in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well. Ashwin also felt without Boland’s inclusion, India would have won the series they eventually lost by a 1-3 margin as well. Notably, Boland didn’t play in Australia’s 295-run win in the series opener at Perth. However, an injury to Josh Hazlewood saw him play in the second Test at Adelaide, which they won by ten wickets as well.

Talking about the series on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said [via TOI]: “All said that Pat Cummins had a great series, but he struggled against left-handers. Australia was lucky that Scott Boland came into the team. If Boland hadn’t played, India would have won the series. No offence to Josh Hazlewood; he’s a fantastic bowler. But if they had continued with the same attack, we would have won. Boland’s round-the-wicket deliveries to our left-handers were a major factor.”

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However, Scott Boland finished the series as the third leading wicket-taker despite playing only three out of the five Tests as well. He claimed 16 wickets in the final two Tests as Australia won both matches to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ravichandran Ashwin also praised both teams for providing a thrilling series as well.

“The series was on the line till the last session in Sydney. What a great series it was. As pure cricket, it was a class series, outstanding. Australia won the series after a tough fight till the last day. Usman Khawaja said after the series, ‘I was Bumrah’ed.’ That shows how intense the series was,” R Ashwin concluded.