Nathan Lyon Challenges Virat Kohli: Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon is looking anticipatedly forward to his battle with Indian superstar batsman Virat Kohli in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 series.
The five-Test BGT 2024-25 will get underway on Friday at the Optus Stadium in Perth. While Perth is known for its bouncy and pacy surface, surprisingly, it is Lyon, an off-spinner, who has taken the most wickets at the Optus Stadium and not the three Australian pacers. At the Optus Stadium in Perth, Lyon has taken 27 wickets at an average of 18 with two five-wicket hauls. Numbers better than each of the three lanky Australian quicks, Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood.
The upcoming series is likely to be the last BGT in Australia for both the 37-year-old Lyon and the 36-year-old Kohli.
Lyon and Kohli have been facing off against each other regularly for the last 13 years since their first meeting in the 2011 BGT. Against Lyon, Kohli averages a terrific 75 and has been dismissed only 7 times in 1028 balls.
“I Want To Get Him Out”: Nathan Lyon Challenges Virat Kohli:
Ahead of the first Test in Perth, Lyon said he has the utmost respect for Kohli and for what he’s achieved in his career. However, Lyon made it clear that getting the wicket of India’s biggest batsman is his priority in this series.
“Look at his record out here. Overall, look at his record. You don’t write off champions. I’ve got nothing but respect for Virat. I want to get him out; there’s no point in hiding behind that, but it’s challenging. He and Smithy (Steve Smith) are probably the best two batters in our last era of this last decade. It’s been pretty amazing competing against him so many times,” Lyon told reporters.
Rishabh Pant will be a big challenge: Nathan Lyon
Another major challenge in the Indian batting line-up for Lyon will be Rishabh Pant, who was the leading run scorer in India’s five-test home season recently. Pant averages 45 against Lyon and has gotten out five times.
“He’s an incredible player, isn’t he?” Lyon said. “Am I expecting him to try and hit me for six every ball? Yeah. That’s what I love. That’s a big challenge, but it’s what I thrive on.”
Lyon has taken the second-most Test wickets against India in Test cricket’s history: 121 wickets in 27 Tests at an average of 31 with 9 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket match hauls.
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