"More than surprises me" - Nathan Lyon on Ravichandran Ashwin's exclusion from India's XI in 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon expressed surprise at his Indian counterpart Ravichandran Ashwin's exclusion from the playing XI in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth. Despite being the seventh leading wicket-taker in Test history, Ashwin was left out in favor of fellow Tamil Nadu off-spinner Washington Sundar.
As India went with only one specialist spin-bowling option, both veteran spinners Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja warmed the benches in the series opener. However, their exclusions had no negative impact on the visitors as they completed a massive 295-run victory to take a 1-0 series lead.
Speaking to the reporters in the build-up to the second Test, Lyon, however, was surprised at Ashwin and his long-time spin-bowling partner Jadeja's absence from the playing XI.
"More than surprises me. But the quality of Indian cricketers that they got in that squad, don't they? You've got Ashwin and 530 odd wickets and then you got Ravindra Jadeja over 300 wickets or whatever it may be. So it's pretty remarkable to see the quality of player tha are sitting on the bench. But I can't control with who they run out, bu it would be a good challenge, no matter who they bring out," he said via India Today.
India's selection of their lone spinner was clearly based on recent form as Sundar outbowled Ashwin and Jadeja in the home series against New Zealand before the Australian tour.
The young off-spinner, however, did not have much of a role in the first innings, bowling only two overs. Yet, he enjoyed a longer spell in the second innings and finished with excellent figures of 2/48 in 15 overs.
"India boasts extraordinary players like Bumrah and others, but it's not just about the superstars" - Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon has claimed that Australia's focus is not only on India's star players but their entire well-rounded side, heading into the second Test.
India's key superstars, Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli, produced the goods in the opening Test, with the former picking up eight wickets and the latter scoring an unbeaten century in the second innings. Yet, Team India were also well-served by a crucial 201-run opening stand between Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul and five wickets from Mohammed Siraj.
"I look at the Indian squad and see a group of superstars. Cricket, however, is a team game-winning requires the entire side to perform well. India boasts extraordinary players like Bumrah and others, but it's not just about the superstars. The rest of the Indian squad is also incredibly talented. They're an incredible cricket team. We're not focusing solely on any one player, that's for sure," said Lyon.
Lyon added:
"We have nothing but respect for every Indian cricketer who takes the field on Friday. That doesn't mean we're not going to compete. We respect them, but we're determined to play our brand of cricket and compete hard against a quality side. India is one of the best teams in the world."
Meanwhile, Australia will look to even up the best-of-five series with a bounce-back performance in the second Test in Adelaide, starting December 6.