‘We are not focussing just on Bumrah or Kohli’: Nathan Lyon ahead of pink-ball Test in Adelaide | Cricket News

Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli. (Pic Credit – X)

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon emphasized that his team is not fixated solely on Jasprit Bumrah or Virat Kohli.
While acknowledging their world-class abilities, Lyon highlighted the depth and talent across the Indian squad, stressing the need to prepare comprehensively for all players.

In the lead-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and following India’s commanding 295-run victory in the series opener in Perth, the spotlight has firmly been on key Indian players like Kohli and Bumrah.
“I look at the Indian squad and see a group of superstars. Cricket, however, is a team game, winning requires the entire side to perform well. India boasts extraordinary players like Bumrah and others, but it’s not just about the superstars,” Lyon said ahead of the pink-ball Test, starting on December 6, in Adelaide.
“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.
“We have nothing but respect for every Indian cricketer who takes the field on 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,” Lyon added.

Veteran Indian off-spinner R Ashwin, boasting 536 Test wickets, was left out of India’s playing XI in Perth as the team opted for all-rounder Washington Sundar as their lone 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.
“So it’s pretty remarkable to see the quality of player that are sitting on the bench. But I can’t control with who they run out, but it would be a good challenge, no matter who they bring out,” Lyon said.