Ravichandran Ashwin dented massively vs Nathan Lyon as he steps foot in Australia

Former South African cricketer Paul Adams stated that Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is a more 'complete' bowler than Team India bowler Ravichandran Ashwin. Paul Adams said that Nathan Lyon can adapt to different conditions, adding that he did well in subcontinent conditions as well as in Australia.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Lyon are two of the most successful spinners in Test cricket history. Ashwin has secured 536 wickets in 105 Tests, while Lyon has taken 530 wickets in 129 matches. Both spinners will be next seen in action during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), starting on November 22.

Nathan Lyon Has A More Complete Game Than Ravichandran Ashwin - Paul Adams

Paul Adams said that Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin are really good legends of the game, adding they are very dominant in their home conditions. However, Adams gave Lyon an edge over Ashwin in terms of adaptability and overall skill.

"Both are real good legends of the game. I think both, when they play in their home conditions, are very dominant," Paul Adams said while replying to a Hindustan Times query during a select media interaction.

"But like you said, from traveling around the world, I still think Nathan Lyon has a more complete game in terms of competing in the subcontinent and in Australia or South Africa, those type of conditions, than Ashwin," he added.

Ashwin, Lyon to Be Next Seen in Action During the BGT 2024-25

Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 383 of his 536 wickets in India. The Indian spinner has secured 71 wickets in 25 matches in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries. Meanwhile, Lyon has taken 259 of his 530 wickets in Australia. He has bagged 140 wickets in 28 matches in Asia.

Ashwin has sometimes been left out of the playing XI in overseas conditions, with India opting for Ravindra Jadeja due to his superior batting skills. In Australia, Ravichandran Ashwin has secured 39 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 42.15. Lyon has taken 56 wickets in 11 matches in India.

Paul Adams Opens Up About Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli's Struggles on Turning Tracks

Paul Adams said that left-arm spinners troubled Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli on turning pitches. The former cricketer said that the left-arm spinner can consistently pitch the ball in line with the stumps and move the ball both ways.

"The left-arm spin. I think it's one, like I said, on rank turners, it's not often the turning ball that's very dangerous. I think it's like playing a seam on a seaming wicket. You look to play the line and if you play a miss, it's fine. It's more the balls that go straight on or slide on that become really dangerous. So you're not sure if one's going to turn or what's going to really just skid on," he replied to another query.

"So a left-arm spinner, to right-hand batters, he can sort of always pitch the ball in line with the wickets. So that's why there's a challenge of more percentage of balls that can go towards the stumps and make sure you are hitting in line"

India has recently opted for rank turners at home, but this strategy has sometimes backfired as their batters have struggled against left-arm spinners. Players like Steve O'Keefe, Tom Hartley, Ajaz Patel, and Mitchell Santner have troubled the Indian batting lineup.

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