Lyon fills his boots after Kohli dismissal

NATHAN Lyon’s 13th fivewicket Test haul — and sixth against India — bodes well for Australia’s mission to consign Virat Kohli to a long summer.

Lyon’s figures of 6-122 yesterday ensured the hosts remained a slim chance to save the first Test despite being set an imposing target of 323 at Adelaide Oval. The off-spinner made the breakthrough Australia desperately needed yesterday when he dismissed first-innings century maker Cheteshwar Pujara on 71, and was later on a hat-trick when he removed Ajinkya Rahane and Mohammed Shami.

But the most significant blow may have been when he had Kohli (34) caught at bat- pad in Saturday’s final session, continuing his formidable record against the brilliant Indian skipper. Lyon has now dismissed the world’s best batsman six times in Test cricket — a feat no other bowler has accomplished.

Australia will be emboldened to target Kohli throughout the remainder of the series by the pressure Lyon was able to impose in the build-up to his dismissal.

“It’s always a great challenge coming up against the greats of the game and Virat’s definitely that,” Lyon said on Fox Cricket.

“I actually felt I was going to get him caught bat-pad or even bowled through the gate. It was just great to get some reward out of that because it was one of those days where I felt like I bowled pretty well.”

Lyon’s eventual removal of Rahane on 70 came after the Indian batsman successfully challenged a dismissal to the spinner on 17. It was the third time in the match India had used the decision review system to overturn a Lyon wicket, with umpire Nigel Llong responsible for each call.