In a statement released on Wednesday, spinner Nathan Lyon said, “India is a group of all superstars and Australia doesn’t think of countering just extraordinary players like Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli, but rather the entire group because everyone is an incredible talent.” The same has been reiterated during the preparation of the Border Gavaskar Trophy and post the 295-run victory of India in their first Test match in Perth.
Taking a leaf from him, Lyon said, “When I look at the Indian squad, I see all the superstars there. But cricket is a team game where winning is all about how the entire team performs.” India has awesome individuals like Bumrah but it isn’t just about the superstar, Lyon said at the event just before the pink ball Test here.
“The rest of the Indian squad is also incredibly talented. They’re an incredible cricket team. We’re not focusing solely on any one player, that’s for sure.
There isn’t anything except respect from us to each Indian cricketer who takes on the field Friday. That doesn’t mean we’re not going to compete. We respect them, but we’re determined to play our brand of cricket and compete hard against a quality side. India is one of the best teams in the world, he added.
He is such kind of a seasoned India off-spinner Ashwin, who has scalped 536 Test wickets, but light has never been shed on him by India in terms of including him in that playing XI in Perth which opted to play all-rounder Washington Sundar as the only spin option.
“More than surprises me. But the quality of Indian cricketers that they got in that squad, don’t they? You’ve got Ashwin with 530 odd wickets and then you got Ravindra Jadeja over 300 wickets or whatever it may be.
“As such, being wonderful in observing the quality of player of those sitting on the benches,” Lyon said, “but cannot control with who they run out, would be one scintillating contest, without regard to whoever they field.”
The debutant’s attack instincts were at Perth as he took on the Australian off-spinner and hit him through the ropes several times. Yet Lyon was not surprised.
“But I wasn’t surprised,” he said, “but then again, here for boundaries, it provides opportunities for me to hopefully t
