India’s former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reckons India would have won against Australia if the hosts didn’t have the services of Scott Boland in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar series. Australia registered a 3-1 win against India to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy after a decade.

Scott Boland played an instrumental role in the series win for Australia after he replaced injured Josh Hazlewood. Boland scalped 21 wickets in three Test matches at an impressive average of 13.19 against India.

Ashwin reckons Boland proved to be a force to reckon with when he was bowling from around the wicket angle to India’s left-handed batters. The Australian was right on the money with his immaculate line and length throughout the series and bagged 10 wickets at the SCG as he breathed down the neck of the opposition.

Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “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.”

Ashwin said the series was on the line till the last session in Sydney and praised both teams for producing high-quality action in the five-match series.

“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,” said Ashwin.

Meanwhile, Ashwin decided to retire after the third Test at Brisbane ended in a draw. Ashwin will now take part in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings.