'It's Disappointing For The Series:' Nathan Lyon Not Happy With Virat Kohli Leaving The Test Series Midway

Australian leg-spinner, Nathan Lyon has expressed his disappointment over Indian skipper Virat Kohli missing the Test series in between as he has been granted a paternal leave. Earlier this week, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated in a press release that Virat will only be a part of the Indian Test squad for the first Test of the four-match Test series.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma announced in September that they are expecting a baby and the expected delivery date will be in January. The Indian contingent is set to travel to Australia for a three-match ODI series, a three-match T20I series, and a four-match Test series. The Test series is set to begin from December 17, with the first game taking place in Adelaide.

Nathan Lyon Disappointed Over Virat Kohli Pulling Out Of The Test Series

Speaking in a video, Nathan Lyon has expressed his disappointment over Virat Kohli pulling out of the Test series and said that the series must always boast of big players like Virat.

“It’s disappointing, to be honest. Obviously, it’s exciting for Virat and his wife (Anushka) to have their first child and I wish him and his wife the very best for the coming challenges of being a parent but, it’s disappointing for the series. You want to play against the best players in the world,” Lyon said.

“I have said this since day one. I believe he is the best player in the world alongwith Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. It’s disappointing but they have still got superstars. Look at Pujara, Rahane, and they have also got a couple of young guys coming in. It’s still going to be a massive challenge for us. If Virat isn’t playing, it doesn’t mean we have got room to rest,” Nathan Lyon added.

Nathan Lyon Opens Up On The Indian Challenge

“We’ve still got a lot of homework to do in preparation for the series. It would have been good to have Virat for four games but it’s upto us to make the most of the first one, hopefully, we’ll get him out cheaply,” Nathan Lyon added.

Team India is scheduled to take on Australia in a tour that consists of three ODIs, three T20Is, and four Test matches. The tour is scheduled from November 27 and all the Indian players that are supposed to travel to Australia and were participating in IPL 2020, have already joined the Indian bio-bubble and started their training.