Veteran Australia spinner Nathan Lyon is keenly waiting for the Test tour of India, due to be held in February-March next year.

According to Lyon, the Border-Gavaskar series has risen to the stature of the Ashes, terming it a “massive challenge.”

Notably, Team India have dominated Australia in Test cricket lately, winning each of the past three Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2017, including two series victories Down Under.

“It’s massive. It’s getting very similar to an Ashes series as the pinnacle series for an Australian cricketer,” Lyon said in an interview with Code Sports.

“This series with the Test Championship on the line as well it’s going to be even more important and probably a bigger challenge.

“It’s about doing the basics, not getting too far ahead of ourselves and enjoying the challenge – I think that’s going to be the biggest one.”

Before the India tour, Australia are due to play two Tests in Sri Lanka in June-July this year, which is also part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023.

While Lyon is aware of the subcontinent challenge, he is still excited about both tours.

“There’s no point hiding behind it,” the off-spinner remarked.

“That’s one challenge we want to pride ourselves on – going out there and performing really well. This challenge is massive and it’s bloody exciting to be honest.”

 Last month, Australia created history by winning the three-Test series 1-0 on the Pakistan tour. While the first two Tests ended in a draw, the Pat Cummins-led side won the third Test by 115 runs to clinch the series.

“We said it was going to be a hard-fought 15 days of cricket, and we were spot on. It was an absolutely incredible challenge for the whole 15 days and we saw the ups and downs of playing Test cricket in the subcontinent and how challenging it is,” Lyon said.

(With ICC inputs)