Australian spin talisman Nathan Lyon is disappointed that Indian captain Virat Kohli wouldn’t be a part of all four matches of the most anticipated Test series between the two nations. But at the same time, he is aware of the challenge that the Indian team can still put up with the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara in the ranks.
“It’s disappointing for the series. You want to play against the best players in the world,” Lyon told Fox Sports citing Kohli’s paternity leave which will see him leaving the Test series after the first of the four Tests in Adelaide for the birth of his and wife Anushka Sharma’s first child.
“I believe he is the best player in the world along with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. It’s disappointing but they have still got superstars,” Lyon added.
With 390 wickets in 96 Tests, Lyon is currently the highest wicket-taker among active spinners in the World. He believes that even after Kohli’s absence for the better part of the series, India are not to be taken lightly at all.
“Look at Pujara, Rahane, and they have also got a couple of young guys coming in. It’s still going to be a massive challenge for us. Just because Virat’s not here doesn’t mean we get to hold the trophy up. We’ve still got a lot of work to do, a lot of homework to do,” he said.
He has all the reasons to be buckling up and preparing hard as it was actually Cheteshwar Pujara who did most of the damage the last time India came touring for the four-match Test series and went away with a historic 2-1 victory. In that series, the 32-year-old Pujara scored 521 runs with three centuries and was the highest run-getter.
Powered by Froala Editor