Watch: Nathan Lyon shares hilarious Adelaide Test banter with Virat Kohli concerning Roger Federer

Nathan Lyon and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: X(Twitter/Cricket Aus)

Australia and India have had a fierce past whenever they have taken on each other during any sort of cricketing contest. There have been innumerable instances of cricketers from both sides being engaged in heated duels in the past. However, there have also been a few light-hearted moments shared in the past. Australian spin wizard, Nathan Lyon, had one such tale to share.

In a recent discussion, Lyon recounted how ace India batter, Virat Kohli, who was captaining India for the first time in Tests (Adelaide Test in 2014), went on a repetitve streak of spilling out Tennis great Roger Federer’s name anytime he would be batting against Kohli.  

“The battle that comes to me is the 2014 Test at Adelaide Oval where he got the 100s in both innings. I was bowling to him and he was batting that easily. He would come down to non-striker and just say ‘Federer’. And I was like, okay, what is this and he kept doing it, kept doing it. Every time. Every time he would come down and he was like, ‘Federer, Federer’,” stated Lyon, while in a conversation with cricket.com.au. 

Watch the video below: 

Nathan Lyon’s “Federer” story about Virat Kohli from 2014 is simply incredible! 🤯 #AUSvIND

See the full video here: https://t.co/ITqfTokuKr pic.twitter.com/LsR7imr4Xz

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 19, 2024

Also Read: Reports: Virat Kohli refuses to leave nets as rain stops first practice ahead of BGT 2024-25 opener

I got a beautiful forehand: Kohli to Lyon

On finally asking Kohli why he was uttering Federer’s name, Lyon revealed that the former India skipper humourously revealed that he had a ‘beautiful forehand’, just like that of the Swiss maestro.

“And I said, mate, ‘I do not know if I am wrong, but we are playing the wrong sport If you think you are Federer’. And he goes, nah, nah, I got a beautiful forehand’. I was just like, ‘okay, you are a decent player, if you can just sit there and do that mid-innings,” added Lyon.

Kohli was India’s few bright sparks on a tour which saw him end up with 692 runs at an stunning average of 86.50. He averages 75.6 against Lyon, and would look to overcome his underwhelming Test form against spinners by prevalinig over Lyon once again.