Kevin Pietersen's comment didn't go well with many fans and Nathan Lyon himself.
The veteran off-spinner picked up a calf injury on Day 2 of the Test match but he hobbled out to bat in Australia’s second innings and added 15 crucial runs for the last wicket with Mitchell Starc.
However, former England skipper Kevin Pietersen made a rather bizarre remark on air when Lyon came out to bat.
"Imagine if he (Lyon) had been hit on the head and got concussion, he'd have got a like-for-like replacement and a world-class spinner (Todd Murphy), based on how he performed in India, it gives food for thought," Pietersen said while commentating on Sky Sports.
Pietersen's comment didn't go well with many fans and Lyon, who found it disrespectful as he lost one of his friends due to being hit on the head. Notably, former Australia opener Phillip Hughes lost his life after being hit by a bouncer in 2014.
"I have heard comments that I only went out there to get hit in the head but I'm really against that. I have lost one of my mates due to being hit in the head so I think that's a really poor conversation being had, if I'm honest with you," said Lyon after the end of play on Day 4.
Meanwhile, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting gave a clarification on Pietersen's remarks while commentating on Day 5.
"I just wanted to clarify some comments that were made in the commentary box yesterday. When Nathan Lyon came out to bat, Kevin Pietersen was talking about the potential of Nathan Lyon getting hit in the head and what that would mean as far as a concussion substitute would mean,” Ponting said on-air.
"And in no way at all were any of us saying that it'd be good to see Nathan Lyon get hit in the head and have a replacement. In fact it was the other, it was almost the worst case scenario for England if they continue to bowl short and Nathan was hit,” he added.
“So just wanted to clarify that because it has been some negative chat around this morning. Which is probably been a little bit unfair. By no means, no way at all, would want anyone ever hope to see somebody get hit in the head,” he further stated.
Taking to Twitter, Kevin Pietersen posted the clip and wrote: “Cleared up by Ricky Ponting.”