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The upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 promises to be a captivating battle between cricketing giants Australia and India. Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, known for his mastery of the art of spin bowling, has revealed his game plan for tackling the formidable Indian wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant. Lyon acknowledges Pant's dynamic and aggressive approach, which poses a significant threat to any bowling attack. He intends to keep Pant rooted inside the crease, forcing him into a more defensive mindset, with the aim of creating scoring opportunities and potentially enticing him into errors.
Pant's ability to turn the tide of a match with his explosive batting makes him a crucial player for India. He is renowned for his counter-attacking style, capable of dismantling any bowling unit with his audacious shots. Australia, led by captain Pat Cummins, will be acutely aware of the threat Pant poses and will undoubtedly strategize to contain his influence on the series. Lyon, having dismissed Pant a remarkable five times in their seven Test encounters, holds the distinction of having dismissed him more than any other bowler in Test cricket. This statistic highlights Lyon's effectiveness against Pant, and his strategy of keeping him inside the crease aims to capitalize on this previous success.
Pant's return to red-ball cricket has been nothing short of spectacular. Having been sidelined for nearly two years following a car accident, he made a triumphant comeback, scoring a sensational century in his first Test match back. The 2018-19 and 2020–21 tours to Australia saw Pant make significant contributions, playing a key role in India's victories in the Border Gavaskar Trophy both times. In seven Test matches against Australia, Pant has amassed 624 runs at an average of 62.40, including two fifties and a hundred. One of his most memorable performances came in India's last tour to Australia, where he played a heroic knock of 89* in the fourth innings of the Gabba Test, leading India to a historic victory, becoming the first nation to win a Test at the Gabba.
The clash between Lyon and Pant promises to be a highlight of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Lyon's experience and mastery of spin bowling will be put to the test against Pant's attacking prowess. The series will be a captivating battle between two of the world's best cricket teams, and the duel between Lyon and Pant will undoubtedly be a key factor in determining the outcome.
Source: Nathan Lyon reveals game plan against old foe Rishabh Pant before AUS vs IND Tests