IND vs AUS: Lyon will be India’s biggest threat in the series

India's first pink-ball Test away from home starts on December 17 at Adelaide, and it will be a day-night affair. According to the history of day/night Tests in Australia, all the focus will be on the pace bowlers. The baggy green side is currently the best exponent of the pink ball in their camp. Mitchell Starc is an absolute misery to face with the pink ball. 

Further, there is the virtuous duo of Cummins and Hazlewood who will be a misery to the visitors. It is about how the Indian batsmen will stack up against the pace and swing of these three bowlers.

However, if the Indians somehow manage to get past these three, there is an even more significant threat waiting for them. Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has always performed at his best against the Indians. He is traditionally known to be the best player of spin presently.

The current generation of Indian batsmen face it difficult to play against the turning ball, and it is a well-documented truth. What is imposing about the off-spinner is that he has been successful against the Indians in the Australian Pitches. 

Nathan Lyon Stats And Records Against India

Lyon has grabbed 51 wickets against the Indians in Australia. The 33-year-old is, in fact, the only spinner apart from the great Muttiah Muralitharan to have taken more than 50 wickets against India in home conditions. The figures speak volumes about his grip over Indian batsmen. 

Team India would be worried about two of their leading top-order batsmen who are favorites of Lyon. Pujara and Rahane have been dismissed nine times by the off-spinner. Not only these two players but Virat Kohli has also fallen seven times to the guile of Lyon in the past. 

What worries is the fact that Lyon hurts the Indian side when they expect it the least. He comes in and attacks the middle order at the moment when the drummers may have just fallen out.

He is known for breaking crucial partnerships and that may be the reason Lyon could be the biggest threat to the Indian side. The spinner will be a threat not only in Adelaide but throughout the Test series.

The off-spinner has picked up 28 wickets in pink-ball Tests and averages 25.96. This is much lower than his career average of 31.58. If any of the Indian batsmen want to perform well in the Australian pitches, they should have an answer for every ball Lyon comes up with during the series.

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