India vs Australia - "Have Been Hit For Most Number Of Sixes...": Nathan Lyon Quips On Why He's Fearless

02.03.2023 - 18:35 sports.ndtv.com

In search of wickets, most spinners don't mind getting hit for an odd boundary or two but veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is happier when batters are defending him for long periods of time.

Arguably the best off-spinner to have played for Australia, Lyon outfoxed the Indian batters with his guile on way to a potentially match winning eight for 64 on Thursday in the third Test.

He made India skipper Rohit Sharma misjudged his length, deceived Shubman Gill with flight and drift before producing a peach that went straight on to castle KS Bharat, who played for the turn.

The 35-year-old, who is playing his 118th Test and has taken a staggering 479 wickets, spoke about his mindset while bowling. "It doesn't matter what wicket I'm playing on.

cricket Australia Cricket Team 2023 on Nathan Lyon Rohit Sharma Australia India county Lyon

India rode Virat Kohli's brilliant century and Axar Patel's equally effective supporting act to take control on Day 4 of the fourth Test match against Australia on Sunday. While the Indian batsmen looking quite comfortable against the Australia bowlers, veteran spinner Nathan Lyon was able to claim a massive milestone. With the dismissal of KS Bharat, Lyon became the highest overseas wicket-taker in Test matches on Indian soil. He currently has 55 wickets from 11 matches in India and he surpassed the record held by former England spinner Derek Underwood. Underwood had 54 wickets against India in away matches from 16 games with best figures of 5 for 84.

India vs Australia - "There's Still A Result": Nathan Lyon's Huge Prediction For Ahmedabad Test

Nathan Lyon may have got just a single wicket after sending down 30-odd overs on the day but he feels that his effort on Saturday during India's first innings was way better than his 11-wicket match haul in Indore on a track designed for spinners. India finished the third day at 289 for 3 in reply to Australia's 480 on a good batting deck. "It's more of a patient game. When the pitch is like Indore... I felt like I bowled better today than what I did in Indore. And it's just coming down to doing your basics well enough for long enough," Lyon said. For him, Tests like these are decided in the last half an hour and right now it is on even keel.

Watch: Virat Kohli's Intriguing Chat With Nathan Lyon Caught On Stump Mic, Video Goes Viral

Virat Kohli reached his first Test half-century since January 2022 during Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. On Saturday, Kohli hit an unbeaten 59 after Shubman Gill had scored his second Test ton to take India to 289/3 at stumps against Australia. However, Kohli had a nervy start to his innings as he got off the mark on the 12th ball, with Nathan Lyon putting constant pressure on him from one end.

India vs Australia, 4th Test, Day 1 Live Score Updates: PM Narendra Modi Arrives As India, Australia Gear Up

India vs Australia, 4th Test, Day 1 Live Score Updates: Rohit Sharma-led Team India will eye a World Test Championship final berth when they face Australia in the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The match kicks off on March 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

'Nathan Lyon Has Got Years To Go...': Australia Great On Star Spinner

Nathan Lyon's longevity in international cricket has been "amazing" and the off-spinner should continue as long as he remains fit to compete at the elite level, feels former Australia batter Mike Hussey. Lyon, 35, had a quiet start to Border-Gavaskar Trophy taking only one wicket in Nagpur but has come back with a bang snapping 18 scalps from next two Test matches, including a 10-for in Australia's win in Indore.

"That's The Main Challenge": Daniel Vettori Weighs In On Pitches Used In India-Australia Tests

Todd Murphy a 22-year-old inexperienced Australian spinner has somehow found a way to keep up with the veteran spinners featuring in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Murphy found a way to keep up with the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Nathan Lyon. He is the talking point of the latest edition of the BGT series. "Todd has that skill that he can be a defensive bowler and he can be an attacking bowler and work around pretty much whatever is required from him in the game. For such a young and inexperienced spinner... to be able to come here and handle these tough situations and perform the role that's required has been impressive," Daniel Vettori said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo