As anticipation builds for the highly awaited 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Nathan Lyon, Australia’s leading off-spinner, has pinpointed three key Indian players his team must neutralize to reclaim the coveted trophy. Having lost four consecutive series to India, including two at home, Australia is determined to break this streak in the upcoming series starting November 22.
Lyon, a veteran with over 530 Test wickets, identified Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant as the “Big Three” that the Australians will be focusing on. These players have proven to be instrumental for India in their past victories against Australia, both at home and away. Lyon has emphasized the significance of these players, especially considering their records against Australia and in general Test cricket.
Virat Kohli: A Familiar Foe
Virat Kohli remains a formidable force in international cricket, and Lyon’s respect for the Indian stalwart is well-documented. Kohli boasts an impressive record in Australia, amassing 1,352 runs at an average of 54.08 in 13 Tests, including six centuries. His ability to perform under pressure makes him a crucial wicket for Australia.
Kohli’s leadership during India’s back-to-back series wins in Australia, and his aggressive batting approach, make him one of the biggest threats to Australia’s plans. Lyon recognizes that dismissing Kohli early will be critical in breaking India’s batting backbone, as the star batsman has a reputation for turning matches in his team’s favor with his resilience and class at the crease.
Rohit Sharma: The Captain to Beat
Rohit Sharma, India’s captain and opener, is another player Lyon has highlighted as a key threat. Sharma’s calm yet authoritative approach at the top of the order sets the tone for India’s innings, and his ability to accelerate or stabilize innings based on match conditions has proved invaluable. Although he has scored fewer runs in Australia than Kohli, his recent form and experience as a leader make him a significant factor.
Sharma’s leadership will be under the microscope as well, with the challenge of leading his team to a historic third consecutive series win Down Under. Lyon, aware of Sharma’s capabilities, knows that dismissing him early will put immense pressure on India’s middle order.
Rishabh Pant: The Game-Changer
One of the most dynamic players in recent Border-Gavaskar history, Rishabh Pant, has been pivotal in India’s success against Australia. His fearless batting style, especially in the fourth innings of Test matches, turned the tide for India in the 2020-21 series. Pant’s 624 runs in seven matches on Australian soil, including a match-winning knock in the famous Gabba Test, have cemented his reputation as a game-changer.
Lyon acknowledged Pant’s potential to take the game away from Australia with his aggressive yet calculated approach. Keeping Pant quiet will be crucial for Australia if they want to prevent a repeat of the 2020-21 series, where the wicketkeeper-batsman was instrumental in chasing down challenging targets.
Australia’s Determination to Reclaim the Trophy
Australia’s loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been a bitter pill for the team, especially considering their dominance in Test cricket historically. Lyon has expressed his hunger to win back the trophy, describing it as “unfinished business” after losing to India in consecutive series. Lyon is optimistic about Australia’s chances, highlighting the team’s evolution under the leadership of Pat Cummins.
The upcoming series will be crucial for Australia, not just for pride but also in the context of the ICC World Test Championship. Australia will be eager to bounce back, especially after learning from their mistakes in the past, where they perhaps underestimated India’s depth and resilience. Lyon and other senior players like Josh Hazlewood have stressed the importance of maintaining focus, particularly after Australia’s shocking collapse in the 2020 Adelaide Test.
Challenges Await Australia
The Indian team poses a well-rounded challenge, with players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja also capable of delivering match-winning performances. Lyon recognizes the depth of the Indian side, which has players ready to step up in any situation. Even though Pant, Kohli, and Sharma are the top three players he is focused on, the entire Indian squad is filled with potential match-winners.
As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be a fiercely competitive series. With Australia determined to win back the trophy and India looking to continue their dominance, fans can expect high-intensity cricket when the two giants clash.
This series will be a true test of both teams’ mettle, with Australia’s spinners, led by Lyon, needing to deliver exceptional performances to dismantle India’s formidable batting line-up. On the other hand, India will be looking to assert their superiority once again on Australian soil, making this series a spectacle for cricket lovers worldwide.