Lyon slams Dhoni for criticising umpiring standards in Oz-India Test series

Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has stated that the hosts and India both need to keep their emotions under control for the Melbourne Boxing Day Test as he defended umpires after the tourists' captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni made no secret of his view that the standard of umpiring in the series needs to improve.

Lyon denied that India's refusal to use the Decision Review System (DRS) video technology in this summer's four-Test series has added to tensions on the field. However, he also admitted that emotions have been running high.

While Dhoni made no secret of his view that the standard of umpiring in the series needs to improve, Lyon defended the officials, saying that he personally thinks they've done a pretty good job, News.com.au reported.

Lyon said that the emotions are going to swing both ways, adding that they could have had a different result in the first Test at Adelaide if they had DRS but added that in saying that it could have gone their way again.

The off-spinner stated that both the teams have to agree to use it, claiming that he is definitely not against DRS, adding that it's good for the game.

Lyon further said that he knows it has been quite tough for the umpires, especially in Adelaide, adding that that wicket was a pretty tough wicket. He said that the umpires have made some big decisions, adding that some went against India, while some against Australia.

The home side secured a 2-0 advantage ahead of the Melbourne Boxing Day Test with their four-wicket win in Brisbane last weekend, the report added.