Nathan Lyon expressed his excitement about facing the “electric” Rishabh Pant in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, acknowledging the challenge of bowling against such a skilled player.
As the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 approaches, one of the most exciting contests will be between Australia’s veteran spinner Nathan Lyon and India’s aggressive wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Over the years, Lyon has dismissed Pant five times in Tests, but Pant has also proven his skill with a strike rate of 66 and an average of 45.8.
Lyon recently discussed the challenge of bowling to Pant, noting that the wicketkeeper’s attacking approach leaves little room for error. Despite this, he is eager for the challenge. Lyon then revealed his strategy for containing Pant, focusing on bowling tight, defensive lines to limit his aggressive scoring.
“You’re bowling against someone like Rishabh Pant who is electric, isn’t he? He has got all the skill in the world. As bowlers, your room for error is so small. You have got to be good and that’s the challenge,” Lyon said on Star Sports.
“As a bowler, I know I am going to get hit for a six but I am not afraid about getting hit for a six. The challenge is to try and keep someone like Rishabh in his crease and potentially try and get him to defend more and hopefully bringing a couple of chances on the way. But, it’s pretty fun,” he added.
Lyon vs Pant 2.0! 🔥
Will #NathanLyon turn the tide this time, or will #RishabhPant come out on top again? 🇮🇳 vs 🇦🇺
The #ToughestRivalry unfolds in #AUSvINDOnStar, FRI 22 NOV onwards 💙 pic.twitter.com/7eT6mwX8UM
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 24, 2024
Pant in Top Form as India Gears Up for Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Notably, Pant has been a key figure in India’s past Test wins, especially during their last two tours of Australia. In the 2018-19 series, he scored 350 runs in 4 Tests, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer with an average of 58.33. He played an even bigger role in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar series, where his 274 runs in 3 Tests came at an average of 68.50, including his iconic 89* at the Gabba that helped India win the series 2-1.
READ ALSO | Dinesh Karthik Predicts Tough Border-Gavaskar Trophy for Team India
India will now face Bangladesh for the second Test in Kanpur before a three-match home series against New Zealand starting October 16.
Last Updated on September 24, 2024
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