Nathan Lyon, the seasoned Australian spin wizard, has identified Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant as the pivotal Indian wickets to capture in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Lyon, speaking to Star Sports, acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by India’s batting lineup. “Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant are probably going to be the three really big ones,” he said. “But then you have still got Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and who else will come out–another five, I am not sure. But it is a pretty amazing line-up they have got, so it is going to be a massive challenge.”
Lyon emphasized the importance of sustained bowling pressure to overcome India’s formidable batting. “As I said, if we, as a bowling group, are good enough for long periods, hopefully, we can challenge their defense,” he said.
Kohli, India’s batting mainstay, has a remarkable record in Australia, having amassed 1,352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08. Sharma, the Indian captain, has also performed well in Australia, scoring 408 runs in seven Tests at an average of 31.38. Pant, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, has been in scintillating form in Australia, scoring 624 runs in seven matches at an average of over 62.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, commencing on November 22 in Perth, promises to be a fiercely contested affair. Lyon, with his impressive record against India, will be a key figure in Australia’s bowling attack. The series will feature four Tests, including a day-night Test in Adelaide and the traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
