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One of cricket’s most intense and storied rivalries returns as India will face Australia in the first Test, which will consist of five games, of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 on November 22 in Perth.
India’s recent triumphs clouded by doubts
Over the past decade, India have asserted their dominance, winning the coveted trophy four consecutive times, with historic triumphs in 2018/19 and 2020/21. This time, the stakes are higher than ever, with critical World Test Championship (WTC) points and a ticket to the Lord’s final on the line.
While Rohit Sharma‘s men enter the series fresh off a commanding 3-0 series whitewash against New Zealand at home, the team faces mounting pressure. Critics have questioned whether India’s experienced stalwarts can still deliver on the big stage, especially in challenging overseas conditions. Perth’s pace-friendly surface will be a stern test for India’s lineup, which has historically relied on its strong batting core and a versatile bowling attack.
Nathan Lyon reveals the toughest Indian batter
Australia’s ace spinner Nathan Lyon, who has dismissed Kohli seven times in Test cricket, acknowledges the Indian batter’s threat, calling him “the toughest batter I’ve ever faced,”.
Speaking to Fox Cricket, Lyon, reflecting on the elite batters he has bowled to, named Virat Kohli as one of the greatest players of the game, alongside legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma.
Highlighting Kohli’s exceptional skill, Lyon praised his ability to play spin, his lightning-fast hands, and his remarkable knack for picking up length quickly, calling it “incredible.” Despite the dismissals, Kohli has averaged a formidable 75.6 against Lyon and scored run 529 runs in the longest format, setting up an enthralling duel between two seasoned campaigners.
“I have bowled against some of the greats—genuine greats of the game – from Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Sehwag, to Rohit. There’s a lot of guys. I know everyone will probably sit here and pick Virat, and there’s probably a fair reason for that. He’s one of the greats of the game already. The ability for him to play spin, how fast his hands are, and how quickly he picks up the length is incredible,” Lyon said.
Also READ: Team India’s flare in Australia: From struggles to historic triumphs in Test cricket
Australia’s trump card and champion under the spotlight
Lyon, with a remarkable 530 Test wickets in 129 matches, remains a key figure in Australia’s bowling arsenal. The 36-year-old off-spinner has historically troubled Indian batters with his flight, turn, and control. Lyon’s experience will be vital in supporting Australia’s formidable pace attack in Perth. His head-to-head rivalry with Kohli adds an extra layer of intrigue, with Lyon eager to exploit the batter’s recent vulnerabilities and lead Australia’s charge.
The series opener brings renewed focus on Kohli, one of the most prolific Test batters of the modern era. Although Kohli has endured a lean run in red-ball cricket since 2020, his record in Australia is nothing short of exceptional. Across 13 Tests on Australian soil, Kohli has amassed 1352 runs at an impressive average of 54.08, with six centuries and four half-centuries. As the backbone of India’s batting lineup, his form could determine the series outcome.
