New Delhi: Top Australia spinner Nathan Lyon is excited at the prospect of his imminent battle with India’s star batter Virat Kohli in the Border Gavaskar series.
India have landed in Australia for a five-match Test series that begins in Perth on November 22. With the two teams locked in a fight for a spot in the World Test Championship final, Kohli’s duel with Lyon is one of the highlights of the series.
Kohli has a history of struggling against off spinners and is in the midst of a slump in form, with only a half century in 10 innings. He struggled against New Zealand’s spinners in India’s 0-3 series defeat at home prior to the Australia series.
Kohli has scored only two hundreds and 11 half centuries in his last 60 innings and averages on 22.72 in his last six matches. In the three match series against New Zealand, he could score only 93 runs.
“Overall, look at his record. You don’t write off champions. I’ve got nothing but respect for Virat,” Lyon told cricket.com.au.
“I want to get him out, there’s no point in hiding behind that, but it’s challenging. It’s been pretty amazing competing against him for so many times.
“Him and Smithy (Steve Smith) are probably the best two batters in our last era of this last decade,” the 36-year-old said.
Lyon is one of the leading spinners in world cricket with 530 wickets from 129 Tests and is one of only four surviving members of the Australia squad that won in India in 2014-15.
India have won their last two series in Australia but approach their away series on the backdrop of a series whitewash against the Kiwis. Though it doesn’t make them vulnerable, said Lyon.
“They’re dangerous all the time. They’re a side full of superstars. They’ve got so much experience, but talented youth as well and you can never write off that,” said Lyon.
“I was fascinated by that series to New Zealand, but we’re expecting the best India that we’ve played against for a number of years now.”
Lyon said he has nothing but respect for Kohli, identifying him as one of the leading batters of the modern generation Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
