Australia’s veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon has admitted that Virat Kohli has given him the best challenge in Test cricket. Lyon has dismissed Kohli on seven occasions in 17 Test matches while conceding 390 runs.

Kohli could only score 12 runs in the first innings of the opening Test match against Australia and he will be looking to score big at his home ground of Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi in the second Test. The talisman was dismissed by debutant Todd Murphy on an innocuous delivery down the leg side in the opening Test.

On the other hand, Nathan Lyon wasn’t at his absolute best in the first Test match at the VCA Stadium, Nagpur. Lyon returned with figures of 1-126 in the 49 overs he bowled in the first innings.

Lyon admitted that if you savor a bit of success against Virat Kohli, you become the most hated cricketer in the world.

“Coming up against Virat Kohli, it feels like you’ve got the nation against you. If you’ve got a little bit of success and get Virat out or create a chance, you become the most hated cricketer in world cricket quite quickly. I’ve had a little bit of experience on that front bowling to Sachin Tendulkar a number of years ago now,” Lyon said in a recent interaction with Star Sports.

Lyon added that it has been his privilege to play against Virat Kohli as the Indian batter has been the best in the world in the last decade.

“Virat has probably been one of the best in world cricket for a long period of time, for him to constantly perform at a high level. It’s been a privilege to play against him and compete. I’ve always said that I want to compete against the best in the world and Virat probably has provided me with the best challenge,” Lyon added.

Both Virat Kohli and Nathan Lyon will hold the key for their respective teams in the second Test match, which will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi from Friday onwards.