Even with Jasprit Bumrah, India would have been hard pressed to defend a modest 162 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Without their captain and their bowling spearhead, India didn’t have much of a chance, no matter with how much skill and heart Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna bowled.

The record books will show that Australia won the last of the five Tests on Sunday afternoon by six wickets, with two and a half sessions to spare, to complete a 3-1 series triumph and renew their acquaintance with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. But they won’t tell the full tale of India’s spunk and spirit, best exemplified by Siraj and Prasidh, who gave it their all during extended opening bursts of 11 and 10 overs respectively as they strove manfully to compensate for Bumrah’s unavailability.