“I’ve definitely learned from him,” Nathan Lyon calls Ravichandran Ashwin one of his biggest COACHES

Nathan Lyon says he has tried to emulate what Ravichandran Ashwin has done in the past.

“I’ve definitely learned from him,” Nathan Lyon calls Ravichandran Ashwin one of his biggest COACHES

Nathan Lyon and R. Ashwin interact during the 2018 BGT (Image via cricket.com.au)

In the current generation of Test cricket, there are only two world class right arm off-spinners. They are Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon. Whenever the two face each other in any Test series, people are excited to see how the two would fare, and now both are inching closer to 500 Test wickets. 

Talking about his rivalry with Ashwin to Cricket.com.au, Lyon said he respects his counterpart and called him a world class bowler. He said ever since Ashwin debted, he’s been following his style of bowling and has learnt a lot from him. He further added that he viewed Ashwin as one of his biggest coaches.

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I've definitely learned from him. There's an opportunity to learn from the people you play against, and without knowing it he's probably been one of my biggest coaches in a way.
Lyon said on Cricket.com.au

Lyon called the fact that he and Ashwin were creeping up to 500 Test wickets something really special. He hopes in the future, the two can meet and have some beers together. As of now Lyon has 496 Test wickets, while Ashwin has 489. 

Related: Nathan Lyon drove his wife ‘mad’ because he is obsessed with Ravichandran Ashwin

R. Ashwin’s illustrious career 

R. Ashwin is creeping closer to 500 Test wickets, with only 4 left. He averages 23.6, with a strike rate of 54.6. He usually is benched in Tests being played in SENA, but is one of the most dangerous bowlers in India. Debuting in 2011, he formed one of the most dangerous spin duo’s in Tests with Ravindra Jadeja. 

Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin recently took a 12-wicket haul against West Indies (Image via ESPN)

He has picked up eight 10 wicket hauls, 2 coming in away conditions. His home average is an impressive 20.88, with 337 wickets. Ashwin is also a very handy batter, scoring 5 Test centuries with the latest coming in 2021 against England. One of his most iconic innings came in the 3rd Test of the 2020/21 Border Gavaskar Trophy, where he and Hanuma Vihari ensured India got a draw despite battling injuries. 

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