Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Nathan Lyon predicts 5-0 whitewash for Australia against India

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, who is the leading wicket-taker in World Test Championship (WTC) history, has expressed his confidence that Australia will end their decade-long wait for a Test series victory over India. 

Lyon, who boasts 530 wickets from 129 Tests, believes the Baggy Greens will achieve a whitewash in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In an appearance on the Willow Talk podcast, the 36-year-old Lyon stated, “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.

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

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will commence on November 22 in Perth, will feature five matches. Lyon, who is Australia's third leading wicket-taker in Test cricket with 121 wickets from 27 matches against India, is particularly excited about the prospect of facing off against batting stars 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.

As Australia’s lead spinner, he stressed the importance of his teammates stepping up with significant scores.

“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," he said.

“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 concluded.