Lyon not writing off 'champion' Kohli, besieged Indians

Nathan Lyon is refusing to write-off out-of-form superstar Virat Kohli and his besieged Indian teammates, with the Australian spinner saying they remain as dangerous as ever.

Australia will start strong favourites to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2017, with India still licking their wounds after a historic home whitewash to New Zealand.

India captain Rohit Sharma will miss the first Test in Perth after his wife gave birth to their second child.

Star batter Shubman Gill is also in doubt for the series-opener after injuring his thumb in a training session at the WACA Ground.

That places even more pressure on Kohli, who is enduring the worst form slump of his decorated career after posting just two Test centuries since the start of 2020.

But Lyon, who took 22 wickets when Australia toured India in 2023, remained wary of what Kohli could do in potentially his farewell Border-Gavaskar contest.

"Look at his record out here," Lyon said.

"Overall, look at his record. You don't write off champions.

"I've got nothing but respect for Virat.

"I want to get him out, there's no point in hiding behind that, but it's challenging.

"Him and Smithy (Steve Smith) are probably the best two batters in our last era of this last decade.

"It's been pretty amazing competing against him for so many times."

Lyon is one of only four members of the current squad who were part of Australia's last winning Test series against India in 2014-15.

Even captain Pat Cummins, who debuted in 2011 and is preparing for his 63rd Test, has never lifted the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

India recorded a historic series win in Australia in 2018-19, albeit with the hosts missing suspended stars Smith and David Warner.

But they proved that triumph was no fluke when they returned two years later, pulling off a famous 2-1 series win.

Lyon doesn't need reminding of those previous defeats and didn't believe India were vulnerable this time around.

"They're dangerous all the time," he said.

"They're a side full of superstars.

"They've got so much experience, but talented youth as well and you can never write off that.

"I was fascinated by that series to New Zealand, but we're expecting the best India that we've played against for a number of years now."