Nathan Lyon makes history with key scalp of Virat Kohli
Nathan Lyon has achieved a remarkable Test record with a brilliant ball to dismiss Virat Kohli.
With India building a lead and threatening to run away with things late on Day 3 in Adelaide, Lyon struck at just the right time.
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Kohli looked fairly comfortable and had moved to 34 when Lyon got a delivery to spin back at the Indian skipper sharply, catching the inside edge of his bat before ballooning to Aaron Finch at short leg off the pad.
The wicket not only represented a vital breakthrough for the hosts, but gave Lyon the record for most dismissals of Kohli in Test cricket.
It was the sixth time Lyon has snared Kohli’s scalp, the most of any bowler ever.
Nathan Lyon has now dismissed Virat Kohli six times in Tests – the most for any bowlerhttps://t.co/dvnaCG35A8 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/yWYlbAXSxo
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 8, 2018
India finished the day at 3-151, boasting a lead of 166 runs.
Kohli and Pujara help India build handy lead
India’s hopes of setting a match-winning target took a hit when Kohli was caught, more than an hour after what had been the scheduled time for stumps, but first-innings centurion Cheteshwar Pujara remained unbeaten on 40.
India will feel bullish as they hunt a 1-0 series lead and maiden Test series win in Australia, although momentum has shifted frequently and violently in the low-scoring contest.
Kohli and Pujara shared a cautious 71-run stand, the highest partnership in the match, as they attempted to bat the hosts out of the game.
The highest successful run chase in a Test at the venue is Australia’s 6-315, achieved in 1902 against England, while no side has chased down more than 236 since the West Indies in 1982.
Kohli was typically animated in the morning session, celebrating jubilantly after India rolled Australia for 235 to claim a first-innings lead of 15 runs.
“You love seeing that passion in sport. Mind you, I think if we did that at the moment, we’d be the worst blokes in the world,” Australian coach Justin Langer told Fox Cricket before the start of play.
Kohli, given a heated reception by some sections of the 30,348-strong crowd, ditched the histrionics when he walked out to bat with India 2-76 and the game in the balance.
The superstar misjudged a delivery that dipped late while on 34, having exhibited trademark composure during his previous 103 balls.
Lyon dismissed Pujara on eight and 17 but the batsman successfully used the Decision Review System (DRS) on both occasions to overturn umpire Nigel Llong’s on-field verdict.
Out … no! Pujara is given LBW but it's a successful review to overturn the decision.
"I think the umpire is guessing there," says Jason Gillespie #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/u5VLBxAph0
— 7 Cricket (@7Cricket) December 8, 2018
Lyon, with figures of 1-48 from 22 overs, shook his head in disbelief at the second reprieve.
KL Rahul and Murali Vijay saw off the new ball in a 63-run opening stand.
with AAP