Nathan Lyon Suggests Australia Are Ready To Take On Rohit Sharma

Australian off-spinner, Nathan Lyon is ready to have a battle with Rohit Sharma, who returns to the Test side after missing the first two Test against Australia due to injuries and quarantine. Rohit has completed his 14-day isolation before joining the Indian team.

Since Rohit is made the vice-captain of the Test side, with Ajinkya Rahane as the stand-in skipper in absence of Virat Kohli, he is certain to play in the third Test. This begs the question whether he will replace either Mayank Agarwal – who has low scores in this series hitherto – or Shubman Gill – who made an impressive debut in Melbourne – or, if at all, Sharma slots in the middle-order; Nathan Lyon, as well as the Australians, are also eager to see the change India make in the Sydney.

Nonetheless, the ‘GOAT’, as Lyon is fondly referred to, says that he the other Aussie bowlers will take the field with specific plans for the Mumbai Indians skipper. Sharma started opening in Tests in 2019 and averages a mammoth 92 in 6 innings.

At a virtual press conference, Nathan Lyon said, “Obviously, Rohit Sharma is one of the best players going around so it’s going to be a tough challenge for the bowlers. He is a big influencer for the Indian side so it would be interesting to see who they leave out but we will have our plans ready for Rohit, hopefully, we will get top of him nice and early.” 

I am expecting Warner to do well: Nathan Lyon

Lyon, who is 6 wickets short of 400 Test scalps, is confident that David Warner, who is set to return to the Australia team, will do well in the remaining two Test against India.

The southpaw will play in the third Test match in Sydney – even if not 100 per cent fit. He suffered a groin injury during the second ODI against India. Consequently, he missed the third ODI, the T20I series, and the two Test matches in Adelaide and Melbourne.

With the hosts losing the second Test and their batting looking fragile against the Indian bowlers – even Steve Smith’s out of his regular touch – Warner will straightaway slot in the opening spot in the third Test replacing Joe Burns.

“David is an X-factor, he is a world-class batter, I am 100 percent expecting David to go out there and do well in the remaining two Tests against India, I am looking forward to seeing David back at the top-order for us,” Lyon stated.

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