Australia spinner Nathan Lyon showered rich praise on his Indian counterpart R Ashwin ahead of the five-Test series between Australia and India down under (BGT 2024). India will play a 5-Test series in Australia for the first time in 32 years.
The BGT 2024 will begin in Perth on November 22, and the next Test will be a day-night affair in Adelaide from December 6 onwards. The remaining three Tests will be played in Brisbane (Dec 14), Melbourne (Dec 26) and Sydney (January 3).
Nathan Lyon and R Ashwin both began their respective Test careers in 2011 and have shared a healthy rivalry.
Earlier this year, Ashwin attained the astounding milestone of 500 Test wickets during India's series against England, while Lyon has an impressive 530 Test wickets. Their parallel journeys have seen them emerge as two of modern cricket's best off-spinners.
Both spinners will play crucial roles in the five-match Test series, with the possibility of an exciting head-to-head duel that might decide the series' destiny. Ahead of the series, Lyon revisited his long-standing rivalry with Ashwin and expressed his deep respect for the Indian spinner's mastery.
"I know Ashwin and we debuted around similar times and we've competed against each other in several series now and between me and Ashwin I have got nothing but respect for him. I feel like I love watching him bowl, he's an absolute master in the craft of off-spin bowling and it's been an absolute privilege to play against him and learn off him," Lyon said in an exclusive interaction with Star Sports.
Lyon recognized Ashwin's expertise and voiced his excitement about facing the Indian team, which he described as "full of superstars." Lyon stated that competing against the greatest, especially Ashwin has always been a motivating factor in his career.
“I've always said throughout my whole career I want to compete against the best and you look through the whole Indian line-up, the whole squad, there's absolute superstars everywhere you look and you want to compete and challenge yourself against them..." Lyon added.
Apart from Lyon, Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne shared his thoughts on India’s formidable fast-bowling attack. Labuschagne pointed out that India’s pace bowlers, known for their effectiveness in Australian conditions, present a tough challenge.
"To these two teams, it doesn't matter where we're playing, if it's in England, Australia, or India, it's always a tough contest. India's fast bowling is very good, which is really what brings them into Australian conditions and makes them such a tough team to beat in Australian conditions. Hopefully this summer we can turn the tables on India and put them under real pressure," Labuschagne said.
Australia will be eager to defeat India after losing back-to-back Test series to them at home. Australia last won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2014-15 at home.
