I Think It's All Off The Back Of Ajinkya Rahane – Nathan Lyon On India Gifting Him A Signed Shirt In His 100th Test

Star Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has said that the reason behind India gifting him the signed jersey in his 100th Test game at the Gabba was the presence of Captain Ajinkya Rahane.

Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane-led India created history by defeating Australia at the Gabba in the absence of some big players in the team.

During the post-match presentation of that match, the captain of the Indian team Rahane gifted Lyon the jersey. Rahane said:

“From the Indian team, we’d like to give Nathan Lyon a signed jersey for playing 100 Tests,” 

India received a lot of praise from cricket pundits for this heartwarming gesture. However, some fans claimed that India gifted the jersey to Lyon to remind him about India’s dominant run in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

This statement by fans started becoming interesting after India didn’t gift any jersey to England captain Joe Root when he played his 100th Test against India.

However, Nathan Lyon has opined that Rahane was the reason behind India’s move. He stated:

“I put it down as a classy touch, to be honest. I think it’s all off the back of Ajinkya Rahane, to be honest with you. I know Ross Taylor played his 100th Test against India and he didn’t get a shirt, and I don’t think Joe Root did about two months later as well, which is a little bit interesting.

It Took Me By Surprise, As You Can Probably See In The Footage – Nathan Lyon

Lyon who had a poor outing in the India-Australia series said that he was surprised by the gesture of the Indian team. He said:

“But I don’t see it as a champing at all, it’s a very nice gesture. It took me by surprise, as you can probably see in the footage.”

Lyon was questioned whether India would have gifted him a jersey if Virat Kohli was the skipper to which he jokingly replied:

“You’re going to have to ask Virat when he’s on here next week!“

Meanwhile, Lyon further added that he already has a shirt signed by the Indian captain Virat Kohli. He asserted:

“I’ve actually got one of Virat’s shirts down here as well, he was very kind to give me one of his. A couple of decent bits of memorabilia there.”

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