Nathan Lyon reveals how Ashwin indirectly became his coach

Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon are the two best Test spinners since their debut. The star spinners are one of the fewest bowlers to have more than 450 Test wickets. The two have often come up against each other in battles when India and Australia have faced each other in Tests. Speaking about the class of Ashwin recently, Lyon said that he watched the India spinner bowling closely since the start of his career. 

"You look at Ashwin, he's a world-class bowler and somebody I've watched closely from the start of his career," said Lyon. The two cricketers started their career around the same time, towards late 2000s. Since then, they have played against each other a lot in various series. Whenever India faces Australia, the battle between the two in spin fronts would usually be hyped up. 

Lyon added that he respects Ashwin a lot and revealed that he has learned a lot from the Indian spinner. "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. I've definitely learned from him," added the Australian. Lyon currently has more Test wickets than Ashwin, and the two seem to enjoy their race to the glory. 

'He's probably been one of my biggest coaches' - Nathan Lyon

Lyon felt that Ravichandran Ashwin has indirectly influenced his career. The highly accomplished spinner said that Ashwin has been like a coach for him, as he got to learn a lot from him indirectly by watching him bowl. "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," said Lyon. 

Lyon said that he would like to have a conversation with the Indian cricketer towards the end of the career when the two would have accomplished a lot in their careers. "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," added Lyon.