Nathan Lyon not bothered about Harbhajan Singh's predicition, says Australia will compete hard

Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has rubbished the talks of Harbhajan Singh that India will go on to defeat Australia 4-0 in the upcoming series which starts from 23rd February in Pune. He said that they had a quality team and will put up a strong fight against the mighty Indians in their own backyard. Harbhajan and former India captain Sourav Ganguly had earlier predicted a 4-0 result and termed this Australian side as the weakest to tour India.

“Everyone has his opinion. Good luck to him. We are not worried about what everyone believes and thinks about this team. We have got a really strong squad with unbelievable talent in the room out there. We have got good leaders with David Warner as vice-captain and Steve Smith as captain. There are some very young talents,” Lyon was quoted as saying by India Today.

“We are confident in our change room. We’ll come out and compete hard with India. We know it’s going to be hard work, we know it’s going to be a challenge. India is the No. 1 side for a reason. We’re playing in their backyard. We don’t expect our big fast bowlers to come out and get them five down (on the first day). It’s a big challenge for us. We are looking forward to it,” he further added.

Hailing Indian spin ace Ravichandran Ashwin who has been in sensational wicket taking form in the last season or so, Lyon said that he has worked on a few thinks after seeing some footages of the Tamil Nadu spinner. “I have watched a lot of Ashwin. He is a world class bowler and I can learn a lot from him. I’m not going to tell you what I have been working on. I definitely changed my approach to the subcontinent conditions as compared to four years ago,” said Lyon.

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“I have been watching a lot of footage of Ashwin, the way he goes about it, his different release points. He is a world-class spinner, the best at the moment in the world, there is a reason for it. Been studying him a lot, hopefully I can put that in play,” he further added.

Lyon is currently the senior spinner in the Australian squad and he conceded that he was enjoying his time with the youngsters and also using it as an opportunity to help them out. “I’m enjoying the responsibility, doesn’t add any more pressure. Our job is to bowl well together and in partnership and put pressure. I am looking at this as a chance to pass knowledge to some, especially the younger spinners who have not toured here before,” concluded the off-spinner who has bagged 228 wickets in 63 Tests playing for Australia.