Team India has reached Sydney for the upcoming tour of Australia. They are scheduled to play three ODIs, three T20Is and four Test matches against Australia. Indian captain Virat Kohli will return home to be with his wife as they await the birth of their first child. Meanwhile, Australia spinner Nathan Lyon is disappointed with Kohli not being in the last three matches of the Test series.
“I believe he is the best player in the world along with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. It’s disappointing for the series. You want to play against the best players in the world”, Lyon was quoted as saying by foxsports.com.au.
At the same time, Lyon has also stated that the absence of Virat Kohli from the last three matches of the upcoming Test series will not make it any easier for the Australian team to defeat the Indian team. He said that the Australian team still has to do plenty of work to fight the Indian team.
“Look at Pujara, Rahane, and they have also got a couple of young guys coming in. It’s still going to be a massive challenge for us”, he said.
“Just because Virat’s not here doesn’t mean we get to hold the trophy up […] Look at Pujara, Rahane, and they have also got a couple of young guys coming in. It’s still going to be a massive challenge for us […] We’ve still got a lot of work to do, a lot of homework to do”, Lyon added.
The first Test of the series will be played between India and Australia in Adelaide from December 16 to 21. This will be the first Day-Night Test played between the two countries. After this match, Indian captain Virat Kohli will return to India. He is going to be a father for the first time, for which he sought leave from BCCI.
