Can’t take India lightly, says Lyon

India captain Kohli will leave after the opening Test in Adelaide as he has been granted paternity leave by the BCCI to be with his actor wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child in early January. Test specialist Lyon said that he is disappointed to get limited opportunity to get a crack at Kohli, who is considered one of the best batsmen in the world.

“It is disappointing for the series. You want to play against the best players in the world. I believe he is the best player in the world along with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. It is disappointing, but India has still got superstars. Look at Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. It has also got a couple of young guys coming in. It is still going to be a massive challenge for us,” Lyon was quoted as saying by Fox Sports. “Just because Virat is not here doesn’t mean we get to hold the trophy up. We have still got a lot of work to do, a lot of homework to do,” he added.

India’s tour of Australia comprises three ODIs, as many T20 Internationals and four Tests. The series begins on November 27. The Tests start on December 17 in Adelaide.