Monty Panesar Weighs in on Ashwin vs Lyon Debate: Who's the Better Spinner?

Ravichandran Ashwin's stellar performance in Chepauk reignited discussions about his rivalry with Nathan Lyon. Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes Lyon is superior globally, but Ashwin is unmatched in India. Panesar also sees Ashwin's batting skills as a key advantage over Lyon.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 23-09-2024 15:00 IST | Created: 23-09-2024 15:00 IST
Monty Panesar Weighs in on Ashwin vs Lyon Debate: Who's the Better Spinner?
Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon (Photo/BCCI & Cricket Australia). Image Credit: ANI
  • Country:
  • India

In a standout Test Match at Chepauk, Ravichandran Ashwin shined with both bat and ball on Saturday. The Indian spinner surpassed his Australian counterpart Nathan Lyon in the count of five-wicket hauls in Test cricket. But for former England spinner Monty Panesar, Lyon still holds an edge in the broader context of the sport.

Panesar points out that Lyon's dominance in Australian conditions, notoriously tough for spinners, makes him the superior bowler. However, acknowledging Ashwin's dominance in Asia, Panesar said the 38-year-old is unmatched on Indian pitches. 'In my opinion, Lyon is a better bowler, but Ashwin excels in India,' Panesar told ANI in an exclusive telephonic interview.

The ongoing rivalry between Ashwin and Lyon is highlighted by their impressive statistics. Lyon has 530 Test wickets from 129 matches, averaging 30.28, while Ashwin has 522 wickets from 101 matches at an average of 23.70. Panesar emphasized Ashwin's batting skills as a significant advantage, suggesting that this helps him outthink the opposition.

'He thinks like a batter when he bowls, identifying and exploiting weaknesses,' Panesar said. Despite his praise, Panesar opined that Ashwin wouldn't fit into England's current Test set-up, due to their preference for experimentation and young talent.

'If Ashwin was English, they would have told him to retire to make way for younger players,' Panesar remarked. Ashwin, 38, continues to show his prowess as he edges into the twilight of his career. His recent performance against Bangladesh, scoring 113 in the first innings and taking a six-wicket haul, highlighted his enduring value to the Indian team.

(With inputs from agencies.)

Give Feedback