Nathan Lyon, Australia's veteran spinner, is gearing up for the upcoming 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a keen focus on India's rising star, Yashasvi Jaiswal. With Jaiswal currently ranked 8th in the ICC Test rankings and having showcased remarkable talent since his international debut, he has quickly become a crucial player for India, particularly following his impressive performance in the recent series against England, where he scored 712 runs in five matches.
Acknowledging the challenge Jaiswal presents, Lyon expressed his admiration for the young batsman's ability to thrive under pressure, drawing parallels to cricketing legends like Sunil Gavaskar. Lyon has taken proactive steps to prepare for the series, even consulting with England's left-arm spinner Tom Hartley for insights on how to approach Indian batsmen, especially left-handers like Jaiswal.
At 36, Lyon's commitment to his craft and his determination to gather insights align with his goal of breaking a decade-long streak of series losses against India. Since their last triumph in the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia has faced four consecutive defeats against India, and Lyon's analytical mindset reflects the team's focus on turning this trend around. The upcoming Test series, starting on November 22 in Australia, is expected to be highly competitive, with Jaiswal's form and Lyon's preparation setting the stage for a thrilling contest.