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‘India Test is going to be the biggest challenge’ – Nathan Lyon looks ahead in WTC23

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Nathan Lyon, Australia’s spin-attack leader, believes that the Border-Gavaskar series has risen to the prestige of the Ashes, calling it a “massive challenge.”

India have had the better of Australia, winning each of the past three Border-Gavaskar Trophy, since 2017.

In an interview with Code Sports Lyon stated the series against India has amassed a high stature, becoming a "pinnacle series for an Australian cricketer."

“It’s massive. It’s getting very similar to an Ashes series as the pinnacle series for an Australian cricketer,” Lyon said.

“This series with the Test Championship on the line as well it’s going to be even more important and probably a bigger challenge.

“It’s about doing the basics, not getting too far ahead of ourselves and enjoying the challenge – I think that’s going to be the biggest one.”

Ahead of two away series Australia are scheduled to play in Asia as a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023, Lyon has recognised the threatening challenge it poses, however still exciting.

“There’s no point hiding behind it,” stated Lyon.

“That’s one challenge we want to pride ourselves on – going out there and performing really well. This challenge is massive and it’s bloody exciting to be honest.”

Australia created history in the recently concluded Test tour of Pakistan where they came from behind to register their first overseas Test series win since 2016 and first in Asia since 2011.

The win in 2011 came against Sri Lanka who they will next face from 29 June for a two-match Test series. However, with all of Australia’s away tours scheduled in Asia, the Pakistan win provides them with renewed confidence.

“We said it was going to be a hard-fought 15 days of cricket, and we were spot on. It was an absolutely incredible challenge for the whole 15 days and we saw the ups and downs of playing Test cricket in the subcontinent and how challenging it is,” Lyon added.

After the first Test of the series was drawn, Australia came close to securing an unassailable lead in the second Test.

Lyon brushed aside the struggles he encountered in the first Test and brimmed with the belief to pull off a heist as he snared four wickets in the final innings. Despite his best efforts, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s centuries efforts they had to settle for a draw.

“I was pretty disappointed that I wasn’t able to get the win. But also a bit realistic – sometimes you have got to take your hat off and say well played. Babar played an exceptional innings.

“Every time Babar hit a boundary it was like a half-full MCG screaming out and there was only about a quarter of the guys there. They love their cricket over there in Pakistan, but to be able to silence them by taking out Babar was pretty special.”

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2574681
 
India may loose series to Australia if Lyon fires. They got some decent bowling attack Cummins starc, Hazelwood,bolland,Lyon.Batting having depth khwaja ,Warner,Smith,labu,green,head.I don't know why can't they win
 
India may loose series to Australia if Lyon fires. They got some decent bowling attack Cummins starc, Hazelwood,bolland,Lyon.Batting having depth khwaja ,Warner,Smith,labu,green,head.I don't know why can't they win

Unlikely.

Indian bowling resources will put Australia under immense pressure and their bowling depends on the big scores that their batters can make.
 
India-Aus test series is going to be highlight of this year. I predict 2-2 as scoreline.
 
I don't think any team can beat India in India.
Oh those dust bowls even a part timer can pick up a 5er.
If India makes sporting pitches then it can be a mouth watering series but India will never do that
 
Australia can probably win anywhere in the world (including India).

India have declined quite a bit. Kohli is out form. Pujara is out of the team.

I think this is a great opportunity for Australia to win a series in India.
 
Atleast Indian board and team has mentality that over a series with 4 result pitches they can beat Australia - whether dust bowl/greentop etc.

As fan anyday would rather see such games than teams trying to burgle 1-0 wins on dead wickets
 
Australia can probably win anywhere in the world (including India).

India have declined quite a bit. Kohli is out form. Pujara is out of the team.

I think this is a great opportunity for Australia to win a series in India.

I agree Australia are looking great right now, but it's laughable to say India have declined... that too on home soil.

With the addition of Axar, Shreyas and Bumrah, India have only become stronger for Asian conditions. Last time around , Kohli averaged 9 and India still won 2-1. So he is almost a non-factor.
 
India are now playing with 9 genuine batsmen and 5 genuine strike bowlers on home soil. It's near impossible to beat a team with that much depth.
 
Indian batting has declined in recent times, because of this and a strong Australian attack, I'm predicting a 2-1 series win for the Aussies.
 
Axar will have Labu in the shed as soon as he comes out, Smith may not find him easy either. He eats RHBs for breakfast lunch and dinner if he gets any sort of assistance.

Key is going to be Ashwin/Shami against likes of Khawaja and Head. These will be the key battles for me.
Just think we will need Pujara as well, hope he can get his game back
 
Just think we will need Pujara as well, hope he can get his game back


Why would we need Pujara? He brings absolutely nothing to the table for Tests in India. And he's 35.

Only place where he has somewhat of a case to be in the playing XI is Australia and we aren't touring Australia until 2025. Makes no sense to bring either him or Rahane back into the side. Time to blood the likes of Gill, Iyer, Easwaran, Padikkal etc for the middle order. With Kohli and Rohit close to retirement, it's imperative to give game time to all these guys.
 
We really should look at playing till at 4 in the long run.

1-2 could be Rahul and Rohit.
3 will probably be Vihari, though I wouldn’t mind seeing Gill here.
4 will be Kohli
5 will probably be Iyer
6 Pant
7 Patel/Jadeja
8 Ashwin
9 Axar/Umesh
10 Shami/Siraj
11 Bumrah/Ishant
 
Ashwin and jadeja with ball and bat are massive boost to India ..Indian higher order batting is not reliable but it's India's series to loose ..Toss is also a major factor..
 
Why would we need Pujara? He brings absolutely nothing to the table for Tests in India. And he's 35.

Only place where he has somewhat of a case to be in the playing XI is Australia and we aren't touring Australia until 2025. Makes no sense to bring either him or Rahane back into the side. Time to blood the likes of Gill, Iyer, Easwaran, Padikkal etc for the middle order. With Kohli and Rohit close to retirement, it's imperative to give game time to all these guys.
I understand its time to move on from Pujara. If it were Gill id be fine but if its between Pujara and Vihari for this series at 3, Id still want Pujara provided he has some sort of form back.

Vihari I just dont trust. The guy's feet get stuck on the crease like its tied to a bag of cement. The reverse swing merchants will have a field day
 
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