Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin mentioned that Aussie fast bowler Scott Boland was the difference in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ashwin felt that without Boland’s place in the Playing XI, India would have won the trophy. Australia defeated India by 3-1 despite the visitors winning the series opener by 295 runs.
Boland was on the bench in Perth but was recalled to the playing group after Josh Hazlewood was injured ahead of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. The hosts won the contest by 10 wickets to level the series.
Hazelwood was declared fit for the Brisbane Test and Boland was dropped. However, the senior pacer was injured again and Boland was given a chance in Melbourne and Sydney.
“People said that Australia captain Pat Cummins had a great series but he struggled against our left-handed batters. Australia were lucky to have a replacement like Scott Boland. If Boland had not played, India would have won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He was spot on against our left-handed batters,” R Ashwin said.
Boland took 16 wickets in three Tests and finished the series as the third leading wicket-taker. He was unplayable and dismissed batters whenever he was told to bowl by Cummins.