Indian cricket's premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin recently extended a warm invitation to his Australian counterpart Nathan Lyon. Taking to Twitter, Ashwin expressed his eagerness for a meet-up with Lyon, either in India or Australia, reflecting the camaraderie and mutual respect shared between these two off-spin maestros.
"We can do a home and away for the catch up too. Sydney - your choice. Chennai - Soup with Muthu and chaat at OSB (West Mambalam). Go well tomorrow and see u soon," Ashwin wrote on Twitter.
This gesture came after Lyon, during an interview on Wednesday, December 13, praised Ashwin for the significant influence he has had on his career. Lyon referred to Ashwin as one of his "biggest coaches", a testament to the profound impact Ashwin's skill and approach to off-spin bowling have had on him.
Both Lyon and Ashwin have been pivotal in keeping the traditional art of off-spin alive and thriving in the fast-paced era of T20 cricket. Their achievements and dedication to their craft have earned them great respect and admiration in the cricketing world.
"You look at Ashwin, he's a world-class bowler and somebody I've watched closely from the start of his career We've gone head-to-head many times in different conditions around the world. I've got nothing but respect for Ashwin and the way he's gone about it," Lyon said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
Lyon, who is on the brink of a remarkable milestone in his Test career with 496 wickets, acknowledged learning immensely from Ashwin. He looks up to the Indian spinner, gaining insights by observing his techniques and through personal interactions.
"I've definitely learned from him. There's an opportunity to learn from the people you play against, and without knowing it he's probably been one of my biggest coaches in a way," Lyon continued.
"It's pretty amazing to see we're both creeping up to that 500 mark, and we'll see where we end up.
"Hopefully at the end of our career we'll sit down and have a nice feed and a beer and talk about it," he added.
As Ashwin, with 489 Test wickets to his name, approaches his own milestone, this exchange highlights the spirit of learning and mutual admiration that transcends international rivalries in the cricketing fraternity. Their proposed meeting, whether in India or Australia, is a celebration of their shared passion and excellence in the realm of spin bowling.
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