New Delhi: Australia’s spin star Nathan Lyon is amazed at how India could leave out Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja from their playing XI in the first Test at Perth.
India went in at the opening Test of the fie-match series for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy without their famed spin duo and won by 295 runs, their biggest margin of win by runs in Australia.
The second Test begins at Adelaide on Friday where the pitch is expected to be more friendly for spinners. The Adelaide Oval’s curator also promised enough grass on the wicket for spinners to have assistance.
Lyon said India’s choice of picking all-rounder Washington Sundar as the sole spin option ahead of veteran off-spinner Ashwin (536 Test wickets) and Jadeja (319 wickets) was surprising.
“More than surprises me. But the quality of Indian cricketers that they got in that squad, don’t they? You’ve got Ashwin with 530 odd wickets and then you got Ravindra Jadeja over 300 wickets or whatever it may be.
“So it’s pretty remarkable to see the quality of player that are sitting on the bench. But I can’t control with who they run out, but it would be a good challenge, no matter who they bring out,” Lyon, who has 532 wickets, said on Wednesday.
‘India full of superstars’
Lyon said despite their defeat in the opening Test at Perth by 295 runs, Australia would continue to compete and plot against India as a whole rather than star players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, who had played leading roles in determining the outcome of the contest.
“I look at the Indian squad and see a group of superstars. Cricket, however, is a team game, winning requires the entire side to perform well. India boasts extraordinary players like Bumrah and others, but it’s not just about the superstars,” he said.
“The rest of the Indian squad is also incredibly talented. They’re an incredible cricket team. We’re not focusing solely on any one player, that’s for sure.
“We have nothing but respect for every Indian cricketer who takes the field on Friday. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to compete. We respect them, but we’re determined to play our brand of cricket and compete hard against a quality side. India is one of the best teams in the world”.
Nathan Lyon said India’s choice of picking all-rounder Washington Sundar as the sole spin option ahead of veteran off-spinner Ashwin and left armer Ravindra Jadeja in the Perth Test was surprising. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
