Former England cricketer Monty Panesarknown for his prowess as a spinner, recently weighed in on one of cricket’s long-standing debates: who is the better off-spinner between Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin? Both bowlers rank among the top wicket-takers in Test history, with Lyon standing seventh on the all-time list with 530 wickets from 129 Tests and Ashwin close behind with 522 wickets in just 101 matches. Both spin wizards will soon be seen in action in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).
Monty Panesar settles the debate: Ravichandran Ashwin vs Nathan Lyon
In Panesar’s assessment, Lyon holds a slight edge over Ashwin due to his remarkable performances on Australian soil as it’s renowned for its fast, bouncy pitches that offer little assistance to spinners. Despite these challenging conditions, Lyon has dominated opposition batters with consistency, making him a potent weapon in Australia’s bowling arsenal. His ability to thrive in a country where spinners generally struggle underscores his skill and resilience.
“I think I see Nathan Lyon in my opinion. Yes, he is a better bowler,” Panesar was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.
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Nightmare for the batters
However, Panesar also acknowledged that Ashwin reigns supreme in Asian conditions, where pitches are more conducive to spin. With his deep understanding of how to extract turn and bounce from subcontinental surfaces, Ashwin has been a nightmare for batters in India and across the region. Panesar emphasized that Ashwin’s all-round abilities, especially his contributions with the bat, further elevate his status. As a bowler who can think like a batter, Ashwin’s mental acumen allows him to outfox opposition players with remarkable consistency.
“But I think Ashwin is a better bowler in India. I think he thinks like a batter when he bowls. He is able to pick out the weakness and he can exploit it, and that is his biggest advantage. He bats really well when he bowls; he knows what the batters are thinking,” Panesar concluded.
Cricketing brilliance on full display
Ashwin's brilliance was on full display in the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. At 38, Ashwin continues to defy age, delivering world-class performances with both bat and ball. His all-round efforts in this match earned him the Player of the Match award, with a splendid century and a match-defining six-wicket haul.
In a tricky situation during India’s first innings, Ashwin played a pivotal role by scoring a crucial 113 off 133 balls, lifting India from a precarious position. The home crowd witnessed Ashwin at his best as he guided his team to a formidable total. Later, as the pitch began to offer assistance to spinners, Ashwin ran through the Bangladeshi batting order, picking up six wickets for 88 runs in 21 overs. His spell, full of guile and control, helped India register an emphatic 280-run victory, proving once again why he is one of the finest spinners in world cricket.
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