India vs Australia: ‘It’s getting up there alongside the Ashes’ – Nathan Lyon feels there is ‘something special building’ in the Border Gavaskar Trophy

India vs Australia: ‘It’s getting up there alongside the Ashes’ – Nathan Lyon feels there is ‘something special building’ in the Border Gavaskar Trophy

Virat Kohli and Tim Paine with the Border Gavaskar trophy

Nathan Lyon

India registered a clinical win at the MCG to level the Border Gavaskar series. The tourists managed to pull off this huge upset coming off a comprehensive beating in Adelaide. And that made the victory even more special. While the Indians rejoiced a hard-earned victory, Australia were staring at serious batting troubles in their side. The fact that the loss came in a Boxing Day Test made the matter worse for the hosts.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon admits that the loss was a ‘disappointing’ one for the side. Lyon adds that none the less, the side is rearing to bounce back strong in the third Test. The veteran offspinner shares that the hosts went back to the drawing board following the loss. And it’s all about executing the plans accurately in the middle now.

“We had a chat after the game. Obviously pretty disappointing to lose any home test match. But especially one at the MCG and back to back to India as well here at MCG. So I think it’s about learning and where we can get better and understanding what India is trying to do. Over the last three or four days, the batters had a batting meeting, but the bowlers are just making sure that all our plans are up to speed. Then we’re ready to go, I know everyone’s itching for the SCG Test to start. So it’s just about making sure that we’re very well prepared, understanding where India is coming from and making sure that we play the brand of cricket that we want to play,” Lyon said during a virtual press conference.

It is a massive series

Virat Kohli and Tim Paine with the Border Gavaskar tophy
Virat Kohli and Tim Paine with the Border Gavaskar trophy

Over time the Border Gavaskar Trophy has risen to become a much-anticipated cricketing event. And Lyon couldn’t agree more. The New South Welshman feels that the Test series is definitely in the same category as the famous Ashes when it comes to the quality of cricket and competitiveness. Lyon explains that given the mutual respect between the sides and their quality, he can sense ‘something special building’ up.

“I said that only a couple of months ago, that the Indian series versus Australia, it’s getting up there alongside the Ashes as a pinnacle for Australian cricket side. So it is a massive series. We respect how good the Indian cricket team is, but we just have to make sure that our feet on the ground, we stay in the contest and make sure that we’re playing the brand through the Australian cricket want to play and that that the way Tim Paine wants to lead us. So it’s exciting. There is something special building. I can feel it, but it’s pretty exciting to be a part of this group at this stage,” he said.

Coming to the talk of the town, the 33-year-old asserts that the hosts are not concerned by all the ruckus around the Indian camp lately. Lyon stresses that the side is completely focussed on the Sydney Test, especially coming off a big loss.

“To be honest, I’m not really worried about what’s been reported. It’s just worrying about what we can control. And the information that we’re receiving from it, from the people at Cricket Australia and our medical people as well. So it’s just about us making sure we were very well prepared for the Sydney test. Everyone keeps talking about the Gabba Test match, but there’s a massive Test match in just a couple of days at the SCG. And that’s where all our focus is 100 per cent at the moment. So we just have to get on with it, if that’s my honest opinion,” Lyon signed off.

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