Definite areas for improvement but proud moments along the way: Lyon

After the first three Tests in Nagpur, Delhi and Indore, the surface in Ahmedabad was expected to be on similar lines. Australian captain Steve Smith prior to the fourth Test was perplexed on what the surface at Ahmedabad would behave like, and after five days, both teams have come to a realisation that there wasn’t any sort of result on this placid pitch. 

In a conversation with the broadcasters, Star Sports, the Australian off-spinner, Nathan Lyon admitted there is obvious ‘room’ for improvement but insisted that the visitors have had a lot of proud moments. 

"It's been a tough challenge. We knew it was going to be tough but it's been rewarding. I think our group can take a lot out of it. There's areas where we can improve but some proud moments along the way,” Nathan Lyon said post the match. 

There wasn’t any sort of help from this surface for the bowlers, and Lyon added that it was quite a challenge for the visitors to pick up wickets. But at the same time, the off-spinner admitted that it was upto the bowlers to play small battles with the batters. 

“[This pitch] was a pretty tough surface. There wasn't a lot in it. It can be quite challenging but it's up to us bowlers get the guys caught on the crease and trying to get them to play false shots. A totally different surface to the first three wickets,” Lyon added.

Australian skipper Steve Smith too was quick to applaud the off-spinner, Lyon, and insisted that 'it is the best' that he has seen him bowl. 

"Did end slowly. Was a pretty flat at the back end. The boys had a great time. The hospitality has been amazing, The crowd has been amazing. We started to play better as the series went on. The madness in one hour in Delhi cost us that game. The wicket here was too flat for us to force a result," Smith said. 

"The spinners bowled really well. Murphy and Kuhnemann bowled with compusure. Lyon bowled his best in the first innings here, the best I have seen him bowl. I am getting a bit old," he added.  

At the other end of the pitch tackling Lyon effectively was India’s Shubman Gill. Gill reckoned that the Australian spinner, who has been dubbed by Rohit Sharma as the best visiting spinner, tests the batter’s patience immensely. 

"[Lyon] is always on his mark. He tests your patience so much. Especially when I was batting to him on day three and the first session was quite challenging for me and Rohit. Just the areas that he bowls,” Gill reckoned post the day’s play. 

While his innings was eventually overshadowed by Virat Kohli (186), Gill scored a century (128) that will always be etched in the minds of the Indian fans. 

“He doesn't give much to the batter for someone who is consistently bowling outside off stump, he doesn't give half volleys or short balls. That's quite amazing. As a batter it's quite difficult to score runs off him,” he had to add.