The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to take place from November 22 to January 7, features a highly anticipated showdown between Virat Kohli and Nathan Lyon. The experienced Indian batsman and veteran Australian off-spinner have had several intense encounters in past matches.
Kohli has played 116 Tests for India, amassing 9,017 runs at an average of 48.74, including 29 centuries. Meanwhile, Lyon has taken 530 wickets in 129 Test matches, with an average of 30.28 and 24 five-wicket hauls.
In a June 2023 interview with Star Sports, Lyon expressed his thoughts on competing against Kohli, noting that bowling to the Indian batting star often feels like playing against an entire nation.
“Coming up against someone like Virat Kohli, you obviously feel like you have got the nation against you. If you are able to have a little bit of success and get Virat out or create a chance, you become the most hated cricketer in world cricket quite quickly. I’ve had that little bit of experience bowling to Sachin Tendulkar a number of years ago,” Lyon had said.
“Virat is a superstar. [He’s] been the best in the world probably for a long period of time now. For him to constantly perform at this high level is credit to him. It’s been a privilege to play against him and compete.”
“I’ve always said I want to compete against the best in the world. Virat’s probably brought that biggest challenge out of everyone,” the 36-year-old had added in praise of the former India captain.
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Both Kohli and Lyon are expected to take the field when the Border-Gavaskar Trophy kicks off with the first Test in Perth on November 22. The series will wrap up with the fifth and final Test in Sydney, set to take place from January 3 to January 7, 2025.
Virat Kohli and Nathan Lyon’s performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Kohli thrives when batting against Australia, regardless of the format. The 35-year-old ranks seventh on the all-time run-scorers list in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having accumulated 1,979 runs in 24 matches at an average of 48.26, including eight centuries and five fifties.
As for Lyon’s performance in the series, he is the top wicket-taker, claiming 116 wickets in 26 matches at an average of 32.40, which features nine five-wicket hauls.
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