“You’ve Got to Be on Your Game Bowling Against Him”: Lyon on Facing Pant
As excitement builds for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon shared his insights on tackling India’s dynamic wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Lyon emphasized, “You’ve got to be good to bowl against him,” highlighting the challenge posed by Pant’s aggressive batting style.
Lyon aims to keep Pant on the back foot, encouraging him to defend more while trying to create wicket-taking opportunities. “Bowling against someone like Rishabh Pant is a challenge. He’s incredibly skilled, and as a bowler, your margin for error is razor-thin. I’m not worried about being hit for six; the challenge is to restrict him and create chances,” Lyon told Star Sports.
Pant has made a remarkable return to red-ball cricket following a serious car accident, quickly showcasing his abilities with a stunning century just 634 days post-recovery. His track record against Australia is impressive, having scored 624 runs at an average of 62.40 over seven Tests, including two fifties and a hundred.
His performances during the 2018-19 and 2020-21 series were pivotal in India’s Border Gavaskar Trophy victories, further cementing his reputation as a match-winner. A standout moment was his heroic 89* in the fourth innings of India’s last tour down under, which led to a memorable win at the Gabba.
