Nathan Lyon was publicly criticised by captain Steve Smith and coach Darren Lehmann after Australia's doomed tour of Sri Lanka last year, now the offspinner has never bowled better, says his skipper.
Smith and Lehmann both lamented Lyon's output during a 3-0 series loss in Sri Lanka last year. Lyon's slump then continued back home; he went wicket-less for some 660 consecutive first-class deliveries amid Australia's five-Test losing streak.
The most experienced member of Australia's XI was facing the axe as a result of his struggles, but bounced back to form to book his ticket to India then claimed 19 wickets in the recently-completed series.
"He was fantastic, wasn't he? I actually think his day-two bowling was the best I have ever seen him bowl for Australia," Lehmann said of Lyon's performance in the Dharamsala series decider.
"It's a big call when someone has got 8-50 (during the second Test).
'But the way he's changed, changed his variation. I think he has been brilliant this tour."
Asked who impressed him most during the four-Test series, one name quickly came to Smith's mind.
"Nathan Lyon, (because of) the way that he has been able to adapt and bowl the way we want him to bowl," Smith said.
"He has got two five-wicket hauls both in the first innings.
"He was able to change things up, when guys were sweeping him he was willing to throw the fast one in to stop them and make them defend.
"It's good that these guys are thinking about the game and finding ways to have success in these conditions, it's been a great learning curve for all the boys."
Lyon finished with a better average and strike-rate in the series than India's ace offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin, whose footage he studied during recent months in an attempt to tweak his subcontinent approach.
The 29-year-old now sits just one Test wicket short of equalling Richie Benaud's haul of 248. Surpassing that milestone would leave only Shane Warne above Lyon on the list of Australia's most prolific Test spinners.
Lyon broke a couple of records during the tour. His haul of 8-50 in Bangalore represented the best Test innings figures by a touring bowler in India.
He now has 64 Test wickets against India, the only spinner with more is Muttiah Muralitharan.
"I enjoy the challenge of bowling to the best side in the world in their home conditions," Lyon said during the series decider, when he gave Australia a sniff with four quick wickets on day two.
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