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‘Lyon Is There…’: Ravi Ashwin Heaps Praise On Australia Spinner For Eyeing His Test Record

Aakash Saini∙ Updated: Dec 23 2024, 10:31 PM

Ravichandran Ashwin with Nathan Lyon [Source: @_FaridKhan/x]Ravichandran Ashwin with Nathan Lyon [Source: @_FaridKhan/x]

Ravichandran Ashwin heaped a significant praise on his Australian rival Nathan Lyon mere days after announcing his retirement from international cricket. The legendary Indian off-spinner, who finished his career as the seventh leading wicket-taker in Tests, claimed that he will not mind if Lyon eclipses his tally.

Notably, Lyon is within touching distance of Ashwin’s Test haul, and might even surpass the Indian cricketer through the course of Australia’s remaining two Tests of the home summer against Rohit Sharma’s visiting troops.

Ravi Ashwin claims he is satisfied with his Test career

While speaking with Sky Sports on December 23, i.e., a few days after announcing his retirement from international cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin was asked if he was satisfied by finishing as the seventh highest wicket-taker in Test history.

The 38-year-old responded that he will not stay at number seven for long as his decade-long Australian nemesis Nathan Lyon is fast approaching his tally. Ashwin added that even if Lyon surpasses him, he will still be happy with his career.


Both Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon have shared a fierce and competitive rivalry. However, the two legendary off-spinners also share a deep mutual respect for each other, as evidenced by some of their remarks over the years.

Nathan Lyon once even claimed that he learnt a lot from watching Ashwin during his playing days.

Ravi Ashwin and Nathan Lyon career stats

Ravichandran Ashwin finished his Test career with 537 wickets from 106 matches. The legendary Indian all-rounder maintained an impressive average of just 24, and picked up 37 five-wicket hauls in the process.

On the other hand, Australian Nathan Lyon has bagged 533 wickets so far from 132 Tests and is expected to surpass Ashwin in the coming days to become the seventh highest wicket-taker in the format. Lyon is already regarded as Australia’s greatest off-spinner, and one of the greatest spinners overall from ‘Down Under’ along with late Shane Warne.