"Looked like their top-order did not want to bat" - Aussie bowler on India's celebrations after avoiding follow-on in BGT 2024-25 3rd Test

Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon took a dig at Team India for their celebrations after avoiding a follow-on on Day 4 of the ongoing third Test in Brisbane. With rain playing spoilsport for much of the contest, India entered Day 4 at 51/4 in response to Australia's massive 445.

It meant Australia's best chance to force a result was ensuring the visitors follow on and got bowled out in the second innings on the final day. The Aussies were in pole position to do just that with India at 213/9, still 33 runs adrift from avoiding the follow-on.

However, No.10 and 11 Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep helped India cross the follow-on score with some gutsy batting, resulting in wild celebrations from skipper Rohit Sharma, ace batter Virat Kohli and head coach Gautam Gambhir in the dressing room.

Speaking about the same to the broadcasters on the morning of Day 5, Lyon said:

"Yeah there's a few of us who spoke about [how we're] surprised about their reaction. We have played well and driven the game to where we are. Frustrating but we are still sitting in the changing room 185 in front. I still feel if we bat well, we can push for an Australian win. Looked like their top-order did not want to bat if we enforced the follow-on."

He added:

"We can't control the weather. What we can control is our process. Especially against Jasprit Bumrah, he's been excellent this series."

India were eventually bowled out for 260 early on Day 5 before the heavens opened up for the umpteenth time in the Test match.

Australia finally started their second innings in the post-lunch session of the final day, reaching a score of 16/2 in the seventh over.

"I was scratching my head" - Nathan Lyon on India's spin selection

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Jadeja is India's lone spinner in the ongoing Brisbane Test [Credit: Getty]

Nathan Lyon was surprised by India selecting three different spinners in each of the three Tests thus far in the series.

While Washington Sundar played the Perth outing, India went with Ravichandran Ashwin for the D/N affair in Adelaide before Ravindra Jadeja made the cut for the ongoing Brisbane Test.

"It's an interesting question. You have someone sitting on the bench with 538 wickets (Ashwin) and I was scratching my head. But then you also have someone like Jadeja, so it's a good headache to have," said Lyon.

The Aussie off-spinner paid tribute to his Indian counterpart, Ashwin, by saying:

"Nothing but respect. Just the way Ash has conducted himself on and off the field for a number of years now, and his skillset is incredible. We've got different opinions on different things, there's no right or wrong. But to have those conversations with a bowler like Ashwin is amazing."

"From different variations to different tactics, understanding what he's trying to do. We are both very different. So our conversation this morning was brilliant and I hope we have more through the series and in the future as well," Lyon added.

Ashwin is the seventh all-time leading wicket-taker in Tests with 537 scalps, while Lyon is just behind him on eighth with 533 wickets.

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