Nathan Lyon issues a bold challenge to Virat Kohli before IND vs AUS Tests: 'No use in hiding...'

Meanwhile, in order to break the drought, the team is focused on shutting down Kohli, with Lyon taking it upon himself to lead the charge. Lyon, a key member of the squad, was also part of Australia's victorious Test series against India in 2014-15, making him well-equipped to take on the challenge.

Kohli enjoys batting against Australia, and in 25 Tests, he scored 2042 runs at an average of 47.48, with eight centuries and five fifties in 424 innings. He played a pivotal role in India's domination over Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the past decade.

However, the batting superstar has not been at his best in recent times and struggled against spin in home conditions and Lyon is ready to exploit it in the upcoming series.

"Look at his record out here. Overall, look at his record. You don't write off champions. I've got nothing but respect for Virat. I want to get him out, there's no point in hiding behind that, but it's challenging. Him and Smithy (Steve Smith) are probably the best two batters in our last era of this last decade. It's been pretty amazing competing against him so many times," Lyon told reporters ahead of the Perth Test.

Meanwhile, Lyon said that the Indian side is still full of match-winners despite entering the series vulnerable after losing a three-match Test series to New Zealand.

"They're dangerous all the time. They're a side full of superstars. They've got so much experience, but talented youth as well and you can never write off that. I was fascinated by that series to New Zealand, but we're expecting the best India that we've played against for a number of years now," he added.