Nathan Lyon: Another off-spinner tormenting India overseas

New Delhi: The year was expected to be a tough one for the Indian cricket team, considering they were scheduled to play most of their Test matches overseas. While their vulnerability against world class pace bowling is hidden from nobody, it is quite strange to see the Indians struggling against off-spinners.

During the five-match Test series against England earlier this year, Indians, who have the reputation of being the best players of spin, were rattled by Moeen Ali – England's part time off-spinner.

Since the retirement of Graeme Swann, England had been struggling to find a frontline spinner and while their expectations from Moeen weren't much, the 27-year-old delivered a stunning show with the ball as he scalped 19 wickets in the series.

Indian batsmen's woes against spin bowling didn't end with the England tour.

In the ongoing series against Australia, established Indian batsmen have struggled against Nathan Lyon. In the first Test, Lyon was the pick of the bowlers for Australia as he picked ten wickets in two innings as a result of which he was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match.

At Brisbane, even though Lyon couldn't cause much damage, he still added five more wickets to his kitty. Lyon's form can be ascertained from the fact that Mitchell Johnson, who wreaked havoc right throughout the year with his deadly spells, has just eight wickets under his belt in the series so far.

With 15 wickets from two Tests, Lyon is undoubtedly in great rhythm and he is also a very strong contender for the Man of the Series award.