India’s response to avoiding follow-on in 3rd Australia Test receives big verdict: “Can’t control…”

Australia’s veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon said a few of his team members were surprised by the reaction of members of the Indian team to avoiding the follow-on on day four of the third Test at the Gabba. At the Gabba, the last-wicket partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep helped India avoid the follow-on and avert a potential innings defeat. As soon as Akash got a thick outside edge over the gap for four off Pat Cummins, it led to jubilant reactions and high-fives from captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and talismanic bully Virat Kohli.

“There’s a few of us who talked about (how we’re) surprised by their reaction. We’ve played well and driven the game to where we are. Frustrating but we’re still in the locker room 185 up front. I still feel that if we hit well, we can push for an Australian win.”

“We can’t control the weather. What we can control is our process. Especially against Jasprit Bumrah, he has been outstanding in this series. (India’s reaction) seemed like their top order didn’t want to bat if we forced the follow-on. Pushing to enforce the follow-through was quite challenging with Josh out,” Lyon told broadcasters Fox Sports during the rain break in today’s game five.

With just 196 overs bowled in the Test so far, Lyon bemoaned the weather disrupting proceedings, especially after losing Hazlewood due to calf strain. “It’s really frustrating. It’s been the trend of the week. I still feel we’ve got a lot of cricket left in the game. We just need the weather to clear.”

“Mitch and Pat, they have been brilliant for Australia for a number of years and I am very privileged to be part of this Australian bowling attack. Their work ethic is excellent. We pride ourselves on our fielding and we did that by seeing the Aussie guys ahead of us.”

Lyon also expressed his opinion about India using three different spinners in the series so far, adding that he wants to see Ravichandran Ashwin play in the final two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.

“It’s an interesting question. You’ve got someone sitting (on the bench) with 530 Test wickets and I’m going to the ground scratching my head and saying ‘What are you doing?’. He’s proven he’s one of the ​​world’s best spin bowlers to ever play the game I expect Ash to play in Melbourne and Sydney.

“(It) surprises me more than. It’s the quality of Indian cricketers they have in that team. You have Ashwin with 530 wickets (536) and then Jadeja over 300 wickets (319). It’s quite remarkable to see the quality of players sitting on the bench. It’s a good headache to have.”

“Nothing but respect. Just the way Ash has behaved on and off the court for a number of years now and his skills are incredible. We have different opinions on different things, there’s no right or wrong.”

“But to have those conversations with a bowler like Ashwin is great. From different variations to different tactics, understanding what he’s trying to do. We’re both very different. So our conversation this morning was brilliant and I hope we have more throughout the series and also in the future.”

Lyon, who made his Test debut in 2011, signed off by revealing the message he gave himself before playing his first match for Australia. “Believe in yourself. I was very lucky to be in the side I came into, with Michael Clarke as captain and a lot of great players in and around that team, to have that support.”