IND vs AUS | Need to keep pushing boundaries and keep getting better as bowling unit, states Nathan Lyon

At the close of first day’s play, India were at 233/6 with one of the most exhilarating days of cricketing action. While India managed to stitch up a partnership in the middle between Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, which for the large period of time frustrated the Australian bowlers, the bowling unit got the better of Pujara, with a snorter. 

While there were several moments of frustration for the home bowlers, with the edges landing short or in vacant gaps, they had to bowl out of their skins to make a late comeback on Day 1. Nathan Lyon, who was one of the key bowlers on Day 1, stated that the home bowling attack needs to keep pushing the boundaries when it comes to bowling to keep getting better at home. However, at the same time, he felt that their bowling on Day 1 was highly satisfactory. 

"Definitely satisfying, but we can get a lot better. We are very happy with where we are at but can keep pushing the boundaries and keep getting better as a bowling unit. We are happy, but still have a lot of work to do," Lyon, who dismissed Pujara, said in the post-day press conference. 

Lyon, who created a massive impact in the second session of the day, reckoned that India’s top-order played with extremely soft-hands, which didn’t help the hosts. Yet, the off-spinner feels that the conditions are good for batting, with the wicket only going to get better for the hosts to bat on day 2. 

"If you look at India's top order, they play with extremely soft hands. The wicket was pretty good. We are looking forward to bowling in the second innings. Hopefully we will have good batting innings. The wicket will only get better. The pink ball gets soft a bit early. All in all, very good wicket," he added. 

While Pujara and Lyon shared a mutual admiration for each other, the veteran off-spinner recalled the challenge of bowling against the duo of Pujara-Kohli, who looked to blunt every one of his delivery. 

"It was good fun, good conversations there but the battle there is against the best players of the world. On a day-one wicket, it was a great challenge. They (Kohli and Pujara) are different in style and approach, batting against spin bowling. I am always up for the challenge against the best batsmen," he said.

Lyon, who isn’t the best of players when it comes to collecting the ball behind the stumps, stated that it feels nice to be back on board after the infamous miss in the Ashes, with Virat Kohli’s run-out being a ‘massive’ part of Day 1.

"It was massive. A wicket like that, run out, specially of Virat is massive. It was good to be back on board after the Ashes. He was batting pretty well, so happy with that," Lyon concluded.