Two of the finest Test spinners of the current generation, Nathan Lyon of Australia and Ravichandran Ashwin of India, are set to face off in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024, starting in November. Both the players have been essential to their national teams and Lyon is eagerly anticipating this high-profile contest against his Indian counterpart.
As they approach the final stages of their careers, Lyon reflected on their fierce yet respectful rivalry. During an interview, Nathan Lyon stated that he knows Ashwin, they both debuted at almost same time and they have played a lot against each other but they both have a lot of respect for each other as well.
The two share a friendly camaraderie off the field, with Ashwin humorously proposing a ‘home and away’ series for their meetings after they retire from international cricket. Lyon has consistently praised Ashwin, considering the Indian off-spinner a benchmark to help improve his own game. Nathan further said that he loves watching Ashwin bowl as he is the “master of the craft” and an expert of off-spin bowling. He added that it was a privilege to play against him and to learn from him as well.
Lyon is expected to play a vital role in Australia’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign, particularly since the series will be held in Australia. As the reigning World Test Champions, the Australians are determined to reclaim the trophy after a decade-long wait since their last victory against India.
Both the teams will aim to bring their strongest squads to this contest, with much attention on the two star spinners and their potential impact on the game. With over 500 Test wickets each, the battle between Ashwin and Lyon will be a spectacle as they seek to deliver standout performances against top-tier opposition.
Securing as many wins as possible will be crucial for both the teams in order to achieve a top-two finish in the World Test Championship standings. While Australia will aim to defend their title, India will look to break their losing streak and claim their first WTC title.
Which team will win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
