Facing Rishabh Pant: Nathan Lyon Warns You Better Bring Your A-Game While Bowling

New Delhi: As excitement builds for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, experienced Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has revealed his strategy for facing dynamic wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant's aggressive batting style. Lyon emphasized the importance of skill in bowling against Pant, stating, "You have to be on top of your game to bowl against him." The off-spinner explained that his plan is to induce Pant to play more defensively by keeping him closer to the crease when taking wickets.

“You’re bowling against someone like Rishabh Pant, who is electric. He’s got all the skill in the world. As a bowler, your room for error is so small. So you’ve got to be good. It’s a challenge as a bowler if I’m going to get hit for six. I’m not afraid about getting hit for six.

“The challenge is that I can provide the batters and try and keep someone like Rishabh in his crease and potentially try and get him to defend me a lot more and hopefully bring a couple of chances along the way,” Lyon told Star Sports.

Pant, who recently made a sensational comeback to red-ball cricket after a near-fatal car accident, has already proven his mettle, scoring a scintillating hundred just 634 days after his return. His record against Australia speaks volumes — over seven Tests, he has amassed 624 runs at an impressive average of 62.40, with two fifties and a hundred.

Notably, his contributions in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 tours helped India clinch the Border Gavaskar Trophy, solidifying his status as a match-winner.

One of Pant’s most memorable performances came during India’s last tour down under when he played a heroic 89* in the fourth innings, leading his team to a stunning victory at the Gabba.