'I think it was extremely insensitive' - Ravi Ashwin recalls comparisons made with Nathan Lyon during 2018-19 Australia tour

Comparisons are something that the fans love. And, in the cricketing world, there have been several comparisons that they have indulged in. Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli has often been compared to his idol Sachin Tendulkar, Babar Azam has been compared to Kohli, and it goes on.

One comparison among bowlers that has been talked about in recent times is the between Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon. Both these spinners are legends of the modern era and have scalped a combined 776 wickets in Test cricket. These two men have taken a combined 45 five-wicket hauls between them in the whites and have surely made life miserable for the batsmen.

Now, Ravichandran Ashwin has opened up on the comparison with his counterpart from Australia. He stated that there has been a lot of ‘noise’ about how he is bowling as compared to Lyon. The Indian spin bowling great added that in his previous tour to Australia at Adelaide, he had picked up 6 wickets, and had continued to bowl on despite an abdominal tear.

But the cricketing world was indulging in a constant comparison between him and Lyon. Ashwin added that it was extremely insensitive and even stated that it was one of the lowest points in his entire life. “There has been a lot of noise about how I am bowling and pitting me against someone like Nathan Lyon. During the previous tour in Adelaide, I picked up six wickets and kept on bowling despite a tear in the abdomen.

“After the match, there was a comparison between us with suggestions of how well Lyon bowled. I felt it was extremely insensitive towards a good performance. That was the lowest I ever felt in my life after Southampton (2018),” said Ashwin while speaking to The New Indian Express.

Ravichandran Ashwin took it personally at that point in time

Ravichandran Ashwin boldly stated that he took the comparison personally and felt that he was constantly under the ‘microscope’. Ashwin also cheekily added that he should be competing with Steve Smith, rather than with Lyon. However, the Indian off-spinner was quick to add that he has respect for the Australian offie.

“I feel I have been constantly put under the microscope. I did take it upon myself personally. So rather than me competing against Lyon, I thought I must be competing against Smith. Lyon is a lovely bowler and I have respect for him. But my focus was on something else,” opined Ashwin.