Batsman Cheteshwar Pujara welcomed the Player of the Series accolade as India completed a two-one Test series victory over Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.

The fourth and final Test ended in a rain-affected draw, which resulted in a maiden two-one series win for the tourists in Australia.

Pujara was the leading run-scorer, with 521 in seven innings, which included superb centuries in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

‘It’s a great feeling for all of us. We’ve been working hard to win a series overseas, and winning in Australia has never been easy. This is the best Indian side I have been part of,’ said Pujara.

‘I am really pleased with my contribution. As a batsman, I was just getting used to the pace and bounce. Apart from that, playing in South Africa and England has helped me improve my technique.

‘For me, it’s all about preparation and I was very well prepared. Scoring a ton at Adelaide and going one-nil up is what we were aiming for.’

Australia and India will play three ODIs later this month. Pujara won’t be part of that series – and hasn’t secured an Indian Premier League contract.

‘I’ll be playing some first-class cricket back home, and I’ll play some county cricket during the IPL,’ he added.

Photo: Getty