New Delhi: Top Australia spinner Nathan Lyon reckons they will face a big challenge to stop the formidable Indian bowling attack in the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy that begins in November.
India travel to Australia for a five-match series with the first Test beginning from November 22 in Perth, followed by games in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Since India won the last four successive series – two at home and two away – Australia are keen to wrestle the trophy this time. Being a contest being the top two teams in ICC’s World Test Championship rankings has added an extra layer of stake to the series.
Lyon said the tourists have a strong batting line-up, dismantling which will be a huge challenge for the hosts, though he identified skipper Rohit Sharma, star batter Virat Kohli and keeper-batter Rishabh Pant as the “big ones” that they need to neutralise.
‘Big challenge’
“Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant are probably going to be the three really big ones. But then, you’ve still got (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, (Ravindra) Jadeja, and who else will come out—another five, I’m not sure,” the off-spinner told Star Sports.
Lyon has taken 121 wickets in 27 Tests against India, at an average of 31.56, with 8/50 being his best bowling figures. In 129 Tests, Lyon has claimed 530 wickets, making his duel with the likes of Rohit and Kohli key match-ups in the series.
“But, it’s a pretty amazing line-up they’ve got, so it’s going to be a massive challenge. As I said, if we, as a bowling group, are good enough for long periods, hopefully, we can challenge their defence,” he added.
Lyon also acknowledged that he and the rest of the Aussies bowling attack will have to be on top of their game to win the series for the first time in a decade.
India travel to Australia for a five-match series with the first Test beginning from November 22 in Perth, followed by games in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
