New Delhi: Rishabh Pant is always ready to punish loose deliveries, which is why Nathan Lyon says he will have to be on his toes in the upcoming India’s tour of Australia.
India travel to Australia for a five Test series that begins in Perth from November 22. India have won the last four editions of the Border-Gavaskar series – two at home and two Down Under.
Pant played a pivotal role in India’s last Test series win in Australia and returned to red-ball action following a car accident in December 2022 with a century in the first Test against Bangladesh.
The left hander struck 109 off 128 balls in the second innings as India win by 280 runs in Chennai to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, the second and final game of which will begin in Kanpur from September 27.
The 26-year-old is an integral part of the Indian team and his form will be pivotal in their quest to win in Australia for the third consecutive time.
“You’re bowling against someone like Rishabh Pant, who is electric. He’s got all the skills in the world,” Lyon, who has snared 530 Test scalps and will be expected to play a key role in the series against India, told Star Sports.
“As a bowler, your room for error is so small. So, you’ve got to be good. It’s a challenge as a bowler if I’m going to get hit for six,” added the 36-year-old Lyon.
Pant’s impressive record in Australia
The keeper-batter has scored 624 runs in 12 innings at an average of 62.40, including a hundred and to fifties in Australia. His top score is 159 not out on Australian shores.
India went to win the series 2-1 to keep hold of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Lyon said his plan would be to cramp Pant on the back-foot and hope it leads him to commit mistakes.
“I’m not afraid of getting hit for a six. The challenge is that I can provide the batters and try and keep someone like Rishabh in his crease and potentially try and get him to defend me a lot more… and, hopefully, bring a couple of chances along the way,” the off-spinner said.
Rishabh Pant returned to red-ball action with a century in the first Test against Bangladesh, following a car accident in December 2022. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
