Nathan Lyon Reacts to Kohli-Jaiswal Run-Out Mix-Up: ‘One of the Best Barbecues I’ve Seen

The run-out incident between Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal on Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test sparks debate as Australia tightens its grip on the match.

Melbourne [Australia], December 27: Australia’s veteran spinner Nathan Lyon shared his candid take on the dramatic Virat Kohli-Yashasvi Jaiswal run-out mix-up that unfolded on Day 2 of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Chasing Australia’s imposing total of 474, India appeared steady with Kohli and Jaiswal anchoring the innings after two early dismissals. Their composed partnership had forced Australian captain Pat Cummins into a defensive mindset, as both batters played with confidence and poise.

However, the momentum shifted abruptly with a catastrophic mix-up. In the fateful moment, Jaiswal drove the ball straight to Cummins and instinctively set off for a run. Kohli hesitated after briefly tracking the ball’s trajectory, causing both batters to end up at the same end. While Cummins missed his direct hit, wicketkeeper Alex Carey calmly collected the ball and dislodged the bails, dismissing Jaiswal for a well-made 82.

Lyon humorously described the mix-up while speaking on ABC Radio, saying:
“It was probably one of the best barbecues I’ve seen, to be honest with you. It came out of the blue. They were doing it pretty easy out there … pressure does funny things. Silly run-outs are coach killers, aren’t they? It was pretty special.”

The run-out sparked debates among cricket fans and analysts, with former cricketers Irfan Pathan and Sanjay Manjrekar sharing contrasting opinions during the post-day discussions.

Steven Smith, Lyon’s teammate, also weighed in during the post-day press conference:
“It looks like Jaiswal called ‘yes’ and ran, but Virat sent him back. Simple as that. I didn’t see much more than that. I was running in, pretty excited. It was a nice wicket. It was really a good partnership. Then getting two more wickets made it a huge last hour for us.”

At stumps on Day 2, India stood at 164/5, trailing by 310 runs, with Ravindra Jadeja adding a boundary to close the day’s play. As the third day looms, India faces an uphill battle to stay competitive in the series-deciding match.