IND vs AUS: Nathan Lyon demands Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head do this in BGT 2024-25

Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon said that the top-order batters need to score big runs in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India.

Nathan Lyon said that Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head should score big hundreds to end Australia's BGT drought.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia will kick off on November 22 in Perth.

The Indian cricket team has won the last four bilateral Test series. Australia defeated India, led by Rohit Sharma, in their most recent red-ball clash during the 2023 World Test Championship final.

Australia is looking to secure its first Test series win against India in a decade. As both teams undergo major transitions, many experts and fans anticipate another closely fought series.

India and Australia are currently at the top of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table.

Talented Enough To Get The Hundred - Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon wants Australia's top-order batsmen, including Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head, to score big hundreds in the upcoming series against India.

Lyon also said that if he takes a day off, he will be more effective and can help his team win the Test match.

“We need big runs. We need the guys, who are talented enough to get the hundred,” Lyon replied to Australian women’s team captain Alysa Healy on the “Willow Talk” podcast.

“The likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head, all the top order. I don’t want 101 or 107, I want 180 and 200."

“If I will have a day off, I am pretty sure that I will be more effective and can help my team win the Test match,” he added.

It's Going To Be Pretty Big - Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon is excited about his rivalry with Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant in the upcoming five-match series. The veteran off-spinner refuted claims that Test cricket is declining and emphasized the growing interest in the series.

“Having Virat out here, Rishabh Pant has been picked for the Tests against Bangladesh, so that’s an amazing story. It’s going to be pretty big,” Lyon said.

“I am really forward to play the five-match series. This series is getting bigger and bigger and when people says that Test cricket is dying, I disagree.”

“When you walk on the street and talk to the local people, they are already saying ‘India this summer eh’. This series is in the back of people’s mind.”

The 36-year-old is the leading wicket-taker in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 116 wickets in 26 Test matches. Overall, he has 530 wickets in 129 Test matches at an average of 30.20.

Kohli has scored 2042 runs in 25 Test matches at an average of 48.26, including eight centuries and five fifties.

Australia hasn't won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since their 2-0 victory in the 2014-15 series.

The Men in Yellow bowled out the Indian team for 36 runs in Adelaide during the 2020-21 series. However, India made a remarkable comeback and won the series with victories at the MCG and Gabba.

Also read: Rohit Sharma relaxed after winning T20 World Cup? India skipper's revelation ahead of 1st Test vs Bangladesh