Virat Kohli and Two Others: Nathan Lyon Picks The Best Players He Played Against

Veteran Australia spinner Nathan Lyon picked the best batters he has played so far in his illustrious career. Lyon, who is one of the greatest spinners to play red-ball cricket, recently completed 500 Test wickets. The spin maestro is currently part of Australia’s Test squad for the ongoing three-match Test series against Pakistan. The final match of the series will be played at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3, it is also going to be David Warner’s farewell Test.

Ahead of the third Test, Lyon in a conversation with on Sydney Cricket Ground’s social media handle, named three best players he played against and his elite list had two Indian maestros and one Proteas legend.

“The best player I have played against, that’s a very hard question. I have played against some of the greats of the game. I will give you three (names), they will be Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar and AB de Villiers,” Lyon said.

The Aussie spinner also talked about how difficult the task is to get them out.

“The secret to get them out, something that I struggle to do would be trying to challenge their defence for a long period of time,” Lyon said.

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Tendulkar and De Villiers are already retired from international cricket but Kohli and Lyon are expected to get involved in a few more big battles in the future.

Meanwhile, Lyon achieved the massive feat of completing 500 Test wickets during the first Test match against Pakistan in Perth.

The 36-year-old veteran, whose longevity is partly due to having not played international white-ball cricket since 2019, reached the milestone in his 123rd match.

“It’s something I’m very proud about, I don’t think it’s hit me yet,” said Lyon.

“There’s obviously been a lot of hard work gone into the journey and I’ve had a lot more bad days than good days, but to be back out there in the middle … it’s pretty special.

“I still pinch myself when I see my name next to those guys,” he said of the exalted company he has joined, including fellow spin kings Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.