Australian team copped a lot from Indian media': Darren Lehmann

Dharamsala: Darren Lehmann, ahead of Australian team’s departure back home from Dharamsala, praised Steve Smith and Co for the fight they showed in the four-match Test series against India.

While India reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as they beat Australia 2-1, the visitors showed solid fight and made India work hard for their wins. Considering, Australia were deemed to lose 3-0 or 4-0 by many former cricketers, the grit Australian side displayed impressed Lehmann.

"They've been difficult conditions ... (but) they haven't whinged once, they've been just getting on with the game," Lehmann said in his interview to cricket.com.au

"They've copped a lot from the Indian media. I've been pleased with the way they have handled it. We have decided we are going a different way about the way we play. Obviously we're less aggressive than we have been in the past. The young group will grow. They will get better, we've just got to keep learning," added the Australian cricket team coach.

Lehmann, meanwhile, admitted that his team was a disappointing in a few matches.

"We were disappointing in a couple of Test matches. We got so close yet so far. One hundred runs short in this game and probably 80 runs in Bangalore. If we made better decisions with the bat, we're getting those (wins). We weren't good enough in this series ... we missed big opportunities to win the series,” said Lehmann.

But the former cricketer made it clear that he was proud of the team.

"I'm pleased and proud of the lads ... we just fell short in the crucial stages."

Lehmann also lauded Glenn Maxwell, who was picked in the Australian playing XI for the third and fourth Test. Maxwell, responded to the call and scored his maiden Test ton in Ranchi to disallow India to run through the Australian batting line-up.

"I'm pleased for him to get the hundred and the challenge now is obviously for him to keep his spot and play well," said Lehmann.

"In the top six you still want to make it as a batsman. Obviously Mitch Marsh is more of a bowling option and Glenn more the batting option,” concluded Lehmann.