Legendary Australia spinner Nathan Lyon donates rare autographed bats of Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah

Legendary Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has donated three signed bats, including those of Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to the National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC). Lyon who is the brand ambassador for the NCIC, has been at the forefront of promoting inclusivity and providing a platform for athletes with disabilities.

As part of his involvement, Lyon not only donated the bats but also participated in a net session with players having intellectual disabilities. Each bat features the phrase "a sport for all" inscribed in the Braille language, showing the true spirit of the sport. Besides, Lyon seemed ecstatic about being able to inspire the young athletes to take up cricket being a role model himself.

“The position we’re in as role models if we can inspire boys and girls to go out there and play this beautiful game, which I believe is a sport for all, then it’s worth it," Lyon told Cricket Australia.

These guys are representing South Australia up in Brisbane: Nathan Lyon

The three bats donated by Nathan Lyon include signatures from cricket legends from both India and Australia. One bat features the autographs of the fiery Indian pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, and the Australian skipper, Pat Cummins. Another bat was signed by Steve Smith and Kohli. The third bat, of Lyon himself, included his signature alongside that of the former Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin. These bats were signed during the iconic Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25).

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The NCIC, scheduled from January 19 to January 25, 2025, will host 22 teams representing states and territories across five divisions, Blind & Low Vision Mixed, Blind & Low Vision Women, Cricketers with an Intellectual Disability, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Men, and Deaf & Hard of Hearing Women.

“These guys are representing South Australia up in Brisbane, so in my eyes, they are playing state cricket and hopefully they can put their hands up for international selection in the Australian ID team," Lyon added.