Aakash Chopra reckons Nathan Lyon is a better bowler than Ravi Ashwin in Tests

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra feels that Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is a better bowler than his Indian counterpart Ravi Ashwin in Tests. Both the players have been impeccable when it comes to playing the longest form of the game. While Lyon has accounted for 390 wickets in 96 Tests, Ashwin has 365 scalps to his name in 71 matches in whites.

Ashwin’s stats certainly look better compared to Lyon but Chopra has gone with the latter for his ability to deliver in conditions which are not helpful for the spinners. He likes the way Lyon puts his body behind the ball and gets the bounce from the surface to put the opposition batsmen in trouble.

“I am going with Nathan Lyon, especially in the recent past. It is because I like a couple of things about Nathan Lyon. Firstly, I like his body action. He puts the body behind the delivery. He gets good bounce. And in conditions where the pitch is not tailor-made for spin, there also he does very well,” Aakash Chopra while speaking in his own Youtube channel. However, he was quick to add that Ashwin is miles ahead of anyone when it comes to playing in India.

“If you play Ashwin and Lyon in spin-friendly conditions, say in India, Ashwin will be miles ahead. And he will take wickets quickly and consistently against any opposition team,” he added.

Lyon does well in England, South Africa and Australia as well, says Aakash Chopra

However, Aakash Chopra pointed out that Nathan Lyon has the knowledge of bowling with Kookaburra ball which is used in Australia and some other countries. He also weighed in on the the off-spinner’s ability to eke out wickets on surfaces which are helpful for pacers or are flat.

“But Nathan Lyon on good surfaces like South Africa, England or Australia, since he is born and bred in Australia, he knows how to put the body behind the ball. He is also friendly with the Kookaburra ball, so the revs on the ball and all of that, Nathan Lyon does that more,” the cricketer-turned commentator further said.