AUSTRALIA

* David Warner (67 runs @ 16.75) - 3/10

A dodgy groin kept the opener on ice for two Tests and was clearly still bothering him on return. A crisp 48 in the second innings at the Gabba were the first signs he was getting his touch back.

* Marcus Harris (43 @ 21.5) - 3

A Test recall came at the injured Will Pucovski's expense but the left-hander missed a chance to make a statement, two soft dismissals offsetting his bright second-innings knock at the Gabba.

* Marnus Labuschagne 426 @ 53.25 (highest score 108) - 8

Grinding, consistent runs in the first two Tests were crucial for the hosts before he scored more freely to easily top the series charts and back up his breakout summer.

* Steve Smith (313 runs @ 44.71) - 7

India had the prolific batsman's measure in the first two Tests, but by the time he was done the No.4 sat second in the series for runs scored.

* Matthew Wade (173 runs @ 21.62) - 3

Began the series as a makeshift opener and ended it with question marks over his future in the middle order after going 14 Test innings without a half century.

* Cameron Green (236 @ 33.71) - 6

The best debut series for a No.6 batsman since Michael Clarke showed Green's class, although the elephant in the room was his inability to take a wicket across the series.

* Tim Paine (204 runs @ 40.80) - 5

One of his better series with the bat, but was below his lofty standards with the gloves and faced punishment and criticism for his behaviour and tactics as captain.

* Pat Cummins (21 wickets @ 20) - 9

Seemed to find something in the wicket his counterparts could not - particularly on the final day in Brisbane - and dismissed Indian wall Cheteshwar Pujara four times while earning player of the series honours.

* Mitchell Starc (11 wickets @ 40.72, 81 runs @ 20.25) - 3

Targeted by Shubman Gill on the final day at the Gabba, Starc struggled to intimidate and back up the pressure bowling of his fellow quicks.

* Nathan Lyon (nine wickets @ 55) - 5

Not helped by five dropped catches off his bowling, but India handled the offspinner better than any other touring side before them in a frustrating series for the 100-Test veteran.

* Josh Hazlewood (17 wickets @ 19.35) - 8

The chief destroyer in Adelaide with an incredible 5-8, Hazlewood twice took five-wicket hauls across the series and added some impressive cover drives and brilliant run-out to his resume.

* Travis Head (62 @ 20.66) - 3/10

Facing an uncertain Test future after selectors opted to retain Matthew Wade at his expense for the final two Tests.

* Joe Burns (63 runs @ 21) - 1/10

Looked to have made a career-saving half century as Australia won the first Test but things unravelled at the MCG, forcing the Queenslander out of the side and back down the queue.

* Will Pucovski (72 runs @ 36) - 6/10

Made a classy transition to the Test arena with 62 on debut at the SCG and looked set to be given time at the top with David Warner, before a shoulder injury in the field kept him out of the decider.

INDIA

* Shubman Gill (259 runs @ 51.80) - 8/10

Not selected in the first Test, Gill finished the series as one of the world's most exciting prospects thanks to the 21-year-old's fearless 91 on the final day on a wearing Gabba wicket.

* Rohit Sharma (129 runs @ 32.25) - 5

Typically pleasing on the eye, Rohit tantalised but left plenty of runs out there after regaining fitness and playing the final two Tests.

* Cheteshwar Pujara (271 runs @ 33.87) - 7

Not the same batsman who last visited Australia, but still proved a regular thorn in their side as he anchored the final-innings efforts in Sydney and Brisbane.

* Ajinkya Rahane (267 runs @ 44.50) - 9

It looked a horror series in the making after his role in Virat Kohli's crucial run-out swung momentum in the opening Test, but the stand-in skipper batted and captained bravely and sagely once the superstar had departed.

* Rishabh Pant - (274 run @ 68.5) - 9

The wicketkeeper's selection after the first-Test loss changed the series, his batting somehow exceeding the hype as he first threatened to clinch a win in Sydney before doing just that in Brisbane.

* Washington Sundar (four wickets at 42.25, 84 runs at 42) - 8

Handled a shock call-up for a Test debut with aplomb, proving deceptive with his off-spin and assured with the bat in a game-changing partnership with Thakur on day three and again late on day five.

* Shardul Thakur, (seven wickets at 22.14, 69 runs @ 34.5) - 8

An incredible return to Test cricket after three years since his debut, becoming the first tourist since Dale Steyn in 2008 to score a half century and take at least seven wickets in a Test.

* Mayank Agarwal (78 runs @ 13) - 1

Started the series at the top of the order but was recalled at No.6 for the decider without making an impact.

* Mohammed Siraj (13 wickets @ 29.53) - 8

Mourning the loss of his father, which came while he was on tour, Siraj then wiped aside the SCG crowd abuse furore to take a five-wicket haul as he led the attack at the Gabba in just his third Test.

* Navdeep Saini (four wickets at 43) - 5

Solid in his debut at the SCG, the quick was restricted at the Gabba by an injury early on day one.

* Thangarasu Natarajan (three wickets @ 39.66) - 6

Initially added to India's short-form squad as an injury replacement, the left-armer finished the tour with debuts in all three formats.

* Virat Kohli (78 runs @ 74) - 7

Looked on track for a century in his only Test before heading home for the birth of his first child, only to be run-out and then a victim as they crumbled for 36 in the second innings.

* Jasprit Bumrah (11 wickets at 29.36) - 7

Lived up to the hype as he troubled Australia's top order all tour, with a side strain robbing him of a chance to unleash in Brisbane.

* Ravindra Jadeja, (85 runs @ 85, seven wickets @ 15) - 8

Played the middle two Tests and was a huge factor, topping the bowling and batting averages while also nailing Steve Smith with a brilliant direct hit run-out.

* Ravichandran Ashwin (12 wickets at 28.83) - 7

The spinner had the better of Steve Smith in the first two Tests, then batted heroically with a bad back to secure a draw in the third Test.

* Hanuma Vihari (72 runs @ 18) - 7

Numbers lie in Vihari's case considering his unbeaten 23 off 161 balls, while battling a hamstring injury, was among the most valuable knocks of the series.

* Umesh Yadav (four wickets at 33.25) - 6

Was proving a handful until a calf injury ruled him out of the series.

* Wriddhiman Saha (13 runs @ 6.5) - 5

A class gloveman but dropped for Rishabh Pant when India decided to bolster their batting.

* Prithvi Shaw (four runs @ 2) - 1

A highly-touted prospect who was exposed in Australian conditions and replaced after the first Test.

* Mohammed Shami (NA)

Added to India's injury list with a fractured forearm while batting.

Australian Associated Press