Hussey the top scorer again, thanks to sure-footed, consistent batting

Took a long while to get going and was tormented in the first couple of Tests by Zaheer Khan. Though he did not reach the heights of previous India tours, his final, pugnacious innings of 77 showed he could still panic the opposition. Gets extra marks for impeccable slips catching.

Simon Katich, 8

Consistent and effective in tough conditions, picked up his tempo as the tour progressed and got the hundred he craved in Nagpur in spite of India's negative tactics. Established himself as an opener and reminded the selectors of the usefulness of his left-arm spinners.

Ricky Ponting, 6.5

Started with a wonderful century to break his Indian drought, but little went right afterwards, but for a fighting 87 in Delhi. His struggles against Ishant Sharma's swing and Harbhajan Singh's spin symbolised the on-field power shift between the countries. Did not have the resources to push for victory and wound up in awful trouble with over rates.

Michael Hussey, 8.5

An excellent century in Bangalore and was Mr Consistency from then on to become Australia's leading run-scorer, and the third-highest for both teams. Used his quick feet and deft placement to his advantage, but fell to some wonderful deliveries from Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan.

Michael Clarke, 6

Not the tour the young vice-captain had hoped for, although he helped to save the New Delhi Test with a crucial if charmed century. Did suffer from a gastric illness while in Nagpur. Bowled plenty of overs without really threatening the opposition batsmen.

Shane Watson, 7.5

A breakthrough tour, and not just because he stayed fit. Looked dangerous with bat and ball, produced a fighting 78 in a losing cause in Mohali, summoned reverse swing and claimed five wickets in Nagpur. Should begin summer as preferred all-rounder.

Brad Haddin, 5.5

A tough tour for any visiting wicketkeeper, least of all one who follows Adam Gilchrist and appears to be carrying a finger injury. His toughness is not in doubt, but his batting deteriorated as the series progressed.

Cameron White, 5.5

Was as surprised as anyone about his call-up, and as honest as anyone about the limitations of his leg spin. However, he did what was asked of him, picked up Sachin Tendulkar's wicket twice and asserted his batting credentials in the last two Tests.

Brett Lee, 4

Underdone, and it showed quickly on the unforgiving Indian pitches. His sliding style did not suit the low wickets and he was unable to muster enough movement through the air to create breakthroughs. To be fair, he improved after a mid-series fitness crusade and was struck down by a gastric illness in Nagpur.

Jason Krejza, 7.5

Figures of 12-358 tell the story of his weird and wonderful debut. A controversial choice for the tour ahead of Beau Casson, but that he became Australia's second-highest wicket-taker in a solitary Test suggests he should have played earlier. Showed resilience to hold his nerve when the Indians went after him. Still a big job to establish himself as Australia's No.1 spinner at home, but he should have first crack.

Mitchell Johnson, 7

Australia's leading wicket-taker, stood up when the other quicks were struggling. His wickets did not come cheaply and he hardly swung the ball, but regularly dismissed India's champions, Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman.

Stuart Clark, 4

A disappointing tour for the dependable seamer, whose pace was down due to an elbow injury in the first Test, missed the second, was economical but not dangerous in the third, and dropped for the decider.

Peter Siddle, 5

Looked at home as a Test paceman from the first ball of his Mohali debut, which struck Gautam Gambhir on the helmet. Inexperience showed at times, but swung the new ball at good pace and should come into calculations again soon. India player ratings

Virender Sehwag - 8

Played with breathtaking gusto and provided India with many memorable starts, but averaged 44 without converting a century. Showed the cricket smarts that are sometimes obscured by his cavalier batting with five wickets in Delhi, becoming the first man to own two triple centuries and a five-wicket haul in one innings.

Gautam Gambhir - 9.5

Exceeded the Australians' expectations to become leading run-scorer, but tarnished his series by elbowing Shane Watson in the ribs on the way to a double century in Delhi and was banned for the last Test. If there were extra marks for sledging he'd get a perfect 10.

Rahul Dravid - 4

A great player in decline, he reached 50 only once in the series and was a shadow of the batsman who triumphed over Australia in 2001 and 2003-04. His slips catching also was not what it once was.

Sachin Tendulkar - 8.5

Broke Brian Lara's world record for Test runs and played with more freedom after the milestone. Was dropped twice on his way to a century in Nagpur but showed his genius with a brilliant knock in Delhi and trailed only Gambhir in the list of leading run-scorers.

V.V.S. Laxman - 8

A beautiful double-hundred in Delhi continued the elegant batsman's remarkable record against Australia, which almost spans the Australians' dominant era.

Sourav Ganguly - 7.5

A golden duck in his last innings did not detract from the fairytale finish. The pressure seemed to dissipate the moment he announced, on the eve of the series, that he would retire at the end of it. Made consistent contributions and tormented Australia one last time with a hundred in Mohali.

Mahendra Dhoni - 8

Lived up to his hype with powerful batting and maintained his 100 per cent winning record as captain. Also showed he was prepared to deny his attacking instincts to deliver the trophy, controversially setting defensive fields and instructing his pacemen to bowl wide of off-stump when India only needed a draw to win the series. His legend will grow.

Harbhajan Singh - 8

The best spinner in the series, despite missing a Test with a toe injury. Kept causing problems for his old rivals Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting. Was important with the bat, too, his partnerships with Zaheer Khan in the first Test and Dhoni in the last turning momentum in India's favour at crucial moments. Moreover, the provocative spinner kept his word and behaved himself.

Zaheer Khan - 7

Was full of bravado and had a wonderful first two Tests, reminiscent of England left-armer Simon Jones in 2005 with his destructive reverse swing at express pace. Copped a fine for sending off Hayden in Mohali and faded in the second half of the series.

Amit Mishra - 7

Sneaked under the guard of the Australians with seven wickets on debut in Mohali, where he filled in for Kumble, underlining the formidable depth in Indian spin bowling. The tourists were more alert to his variations from then on, but he remained a threat.

Ishant Sharma - 9.5

Was described in India Today magazine as a giraffe with a bad haircut, and might also be the best fast bowler in the world. Worried Ponting by bringing the ball back into the right-hander and created awkward bounce with his height. Deservedly named man of the series, an outstanding achievement in a country where spin is king.

Anil Kumble - 4

The ageing and injured captain was far from the great bowler he used to be, but gets points for taking three wickets under the influence of a general anaesthetic. Made a dignified retirement announcement in Delhi, and having instilled his toughness in the Indian team as captain he deserved to share in the glory.

Murali Vijay - 5.5

A surprise choice to replace Gambhir in Nagpur, but looked a fine batsman in both innings and used his quick reflexes to run out Hayden and Hussey. To be fair to Hayden, he might have mistaken the young man for the less-agile Ganguly when he took off for a sacrificial single in the first innings.