What a Test match and what a fantastic way to finish off the series! At a time when Test cricket fails to draw people to the ground these sorts of matches are a perfect advertisement for the game.

That is why India-Australia contests are so amazing and the competitive spirit should not be publicised in a negative way.

We should all understand that when two teams with champion players compete the intensity levels are enormous, stakes are enormous, the results have a huge effect and everyone connected with the game must allow the show to go on.

I never expected Australia to compete so well with India, especially with so many young players coming to the subcontinent for the first time.

They have shown terrific grit and determination. Captain Steve Smith was remarkable — his performance in the series has put him on the list of all-time greats, and one needs to score in every condition to achieve that feat. His innings in Pune was probably the best of his three hundreds. He did not change his game on difficult pitches and continued on in a positive way which at times is extremely difficult in subcontinent conditions.

Despite the loss, Smith will return home a satisfied man mostly because of the performances of his bowlers. All good Test teams have had spinners of great quality, whether it was the Australia of the late 90s and early 2000s, or England from 2006-2010. Nathan Lyon, with his performance in this series, has become a real asset, ably supported by some terrific fast bowlers. If Smith can get the batting unit going, this side will become a formidable one in a few years.

India once again proved how tough they are to beat in home conditions. After going 1-0 down in Pune, they played excellent cricket to win the series. For me, the stand-out performances came in the second innings at Bengaluru and on Day Three of the final Test at Dharamsala. On a tough pitch in Bengaluru, Pujara and Rahane showed their class and in Dharamsala, I saw Australian batters being intimidated by pace after a long time. Umesh Yadav stepped up in this series and for the first time bowled to his potential. The challenge for him will be to remain consistent as he, Shami and Bhuvi will be very important when India starts touring.

India needs to find another fast bowler for away conditions. Ishant has been good but the lack of wickets keeps frustrating all his well-wishers like me. His talent and effort is beyond doubt but the numbers in the wickets column don’t justify that. My faith in KL Rahul continues to keep growing. This series has once again proved his class and he will prove to be fantastic for India.

The spinners did what they were expected to do on these turning tracks but the clever selection of Kuldeep Yadav has added some terrific variation for use on good pitches. At times, the team management needs to persist with certain talent who need to be looked after and with Anil at the top — a perfect coach for youngsters — the team and the selectors need to walk that extra mile and help him mature into a quality spinner.

The win at Dharamsala has confirmed my view that this team does not need turning pitches to win Test matches; such pitches will only help make them a better team away from home. Well done, Virat and Ajinkya. (Gameplan)