Australia’s veteran spinner Nathan Lyon named who, according to him, would be the real ‘Big 3’ batters in the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series. Nathan Lyon named Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant as his top Indian batters for the series against Australia.
Nathan Lyon admitted that it would be a massive challenge for their team, knowing the likes of Yashaswi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja would follow next. A big challenge awaited the Indian team as they would tour Australia for a five-match Test series, starting in November
Besides the big ones, Nathan Lyon has also warned that the visitors have an ‘amazing line-up’, making things massively challenging for the hosts. The Rohit Sharma -led side one reckons start slight favourites despite not playing on home soil. The Indian team has got the better of Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the two previous attempts. In 2019 and then in 2021, the Indian team beat Australia on their home soil. But again, India would know Australia are a formidable opponent and at home – they could hurt the Rohit-led side.
Indian Team Historic record in the Border Gavaskar Trophy vs Australia in Australia
India have demonstrated strong performance on Australian soil, winning the Test series on their last two tours. Australia have not secured a victory in the Border Gavaskar Trophy since 2014, with India dominating the competition since 2017. These past successes add to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming series and highlight the formidable challenge that Nathan Lyon and his team face.
India managed to win the Test series on their last 2 tours to Australia. In fact, Australia was unable to win the Border Gavaskar Trophy after 2014. India emerged triumphant in the fierce battle since 2017, winning two series home and two series away. Virat Kohli boasted of an impressive record on Australian soil, having scored 1352 runs with six hundreds and four fifties at an average of 54.08 in 13 matches.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma would aim to improve his record on Australian soil as he is yet to score a century there and has scored three fifties with 408 runs in seven matches. Rishabh Pant has been celebrated for his Gabba heroics and his fourth innings 89* which was crucial in India winning the series 2-1 on their last tour. Shubman Gill’s knock of 91 was also crucial in India chasing down 329 in 4th innings and becoming the first team in 32 years to beat Australia at Gabba in a Test match.
As per ESPNCricinfo, Kohli has an impressive record on Australian soil. He has scored 1,352 runs with six centuries and four half-centuries at an average of 54.08 in 13 matches. Meanwhile, Rohit is yet to score a century in Australia. He has slammed three half-centuries with a total of 408 runs in seven matches. Lastly, Pant owns 624 runs in 7 matches on Australian soil at 62.40. He has slammed one ton and two fifties.
Veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, who has featured a lot against India, reckoned the big three from Rohit’s team would be the captain himself, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant . It is surprising that he did not mention Jasprit Bumrah or Ravindra Jadeja.
Nathan Lyon names star players Rohit-Kohli and Pant as his ‘Big 3’ for Border Gavaskar series 2024-25
Veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has identified Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant as the three “big ones” to watch out for in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series. The five-Test series between India and Australia gets underway Down Under from November 22, part of the World Test Championship.
Besides the big ones, Lyon has also warned that the visitors have an ‘amazing line-up’, making things massively challenging for the hosts.
“Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant are probably going to be the three really big ones. But then, you’ve still got (Yashaswi) Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, (Ravindra) Jadeja, and who else will come out—another five, I’m not sure,” he told Star Sports.
However, Nathan Lyon was confident that if the Australians delivered as a bowling unit over an extended period, it would be beneficial for them.
“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.
The Aussies have failed to win the title since their last series victory in 2014-15 at home. The Indians have won the title on four consecutive instances since then, winning twice each at home and away, a record for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Besides, they also became the only Asian team to win a Test series in Australia, and also winning it on multiple occasions. Overall, India is the most successful side when it comes to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, winning it on 10 instances, along with a retention.
India would take on Bangladesh and New Zealand before heading off to Australia for the BGT. India are currently at the top of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Australia are on the second spot in the points tally.