Virat Kohli’s dismissal via a runout was a massive wicket as per Australian spinner Nathan Lyon on Day 1 of the Pink-ball test in Adelaide. Kohli scored 74 before he was found short of his crease in a terrible mix-up with Ajinkya Rahane. Kohli and Rahane added 88 before the massive moment on Day 1 came which turned the game around for Team India. India finally scored 244 in their first innings after losing four wickets for 10 runs in the first hour of day 2.
Speaking at the virtual press conference after the day’s play, Nathan Lyon pinpointed Kohli’s wicket as a massive one on day 1.
“It was massive. A wicket like that, run out, specially of Virat is massive. It was good to be back on board after the Ashes. He was batting pretty well, so happy with that,” Lyon said at the virtual press conference after the day’s play.
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Nathan Lyon also kept a word on bowling to Cheteshwar Pujara in the first day’s play. Pujara scored 43 off 160 balls and negated the off-spinner well before Lyon accounted for his wicket just before tea.
“It was good fun, good conversations there but battle there is against the best players of the world. On a day-one wicket, it was a great challenge. They (Kohli and Pujara) are different in style and approach, batting against spin bowling. I am always up for the challenge against best batsmen,” he said.
Nathan Lyon further hailed the Indian batsmen for not getting caught at slips. A number of edges fell short on day 1.
“If you look at India’s top order, they play with extremely soft hands. The wicket was pretty good. We are looking forward to bowling in the second innings. Hopefully we will have good batting innings. The wicket will only get better. The pink ball gets soft a bit early. All in all very good wicket.”
Cheteshwar Pujara Hails Nathan Lyon
After facing Lyon on Day 1, Pujara said that the off-spinner has developed a lot in the last five years.
“Lyon has improved as a bowler in the last four-five years. He likes to bowl and he wants to bowl as many overs as possible. His line length is very good and has improved a lot, I feel”, Pujara said at the virtual press conference after the day’s play.
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