My prediction is 5-0 to Australia – Nathan Lyon ahead of Border-Gavaskar trophy against India

Australia’s veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has predicted that his team will beat India by 5-0 in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar trophy. India has successfully retained the trophy in the last decade as they have ticked the right boxes.

Furthermore, India has won on the last two tours of Australia. India won their maiden Test series win on the Australian soil under the leadership of Virat Kohli by 2-1 on the 2018-19 tour. The visitors backed it up with another 2-1 series win under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane despite having a second string team.

India has come up with a collective show while playing Downunder and they will look to keep up the good show.

On the other hand, Australia will be determined to turn the tables against the Indian team in the upcoming series.

“It’s been ten years since we have won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. I started thinking about this series when England were over in India, watching them to go about it. I love the game, and I will watch a decent Test match, but I have eyes on this series for a long time now,” Lyon said on the Willow Talk podcast.

“My prediction is 5-0 to Australia,” he added.

The off-spinner added he is looking forward to renewing his rivalry against the talismanic batting duo of Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.

“Having Virat out here, Rishabh Pant has been picked for the Tests against Bangladesh, so that’s an amazing story. It’s going to be pretty big,” he said.

“I am really forward to playing the five-match series. This series is getting bigger and bigger, and when people say that Test cricket is dying, I disagree. When you walk on the street and talk to the local people, they are already saying, ‘India this summer, eh’. This series is in the back of people’s minds,” he added.

Lyon, who has played 129 Test matches for Australia, wants his batters to put on big scores in the Border-Gavaskar series.

“We need big runs. We need the guys who are talented enough to get the hundred. The likes of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head, all in top order. I don’t want 101 or 107; I want 180 and 200.”

“If I will have a day off, I am pretty sure that I will be more effective and can help my team win the Test match,” he added.

The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.