Harsha Bhogle took aim at the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) as he believes that the Indian team management does not rate Ravichandran Ashwin as highly as the world does.
The off-spinner was part of the World Cup 2023 squad and but was named in the starting XI in only one match. That was India's campaign opener against Australia where he finished with impressive figures of 34 for one wicket in his 10 overs.
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There was a lot of hue and cry before the final, whether Ashwin should be brought back in the XI, given his incredible record against Australia. The spinner boasts of having 100-plus wickets against four test-playing nations and Australia happens to be one of them; the other three being England, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
However, the Indian think tank did not want to change the winning combination and on a slow Ahmedabad track, his absence was felt more than ever!
What did Harsha Bhogle say?
Writing on X, he said: "Nathan Lyon says that Ashwin has, in a way, probably been one of his biggest coaches and that he has nothing but respect for him. I often think that the rest of the world rates Ashwin much higher than India does."
Nathan Lyon says that Ashwin has, in a way, probably been one of his biggest coaches and that he has nothing but respect for him. I often think that the rest of the world rates Ashwin much higher than India does.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 13, 2023
What did Nathan Lyon say about R Ashwin?
Australia's veteran spinner, Nathan Lyon, has expressed his gratitude to Ashwin, crediting him as one of his most "biggest coaches".
As Lyon approaches the milestone of 500 Test wickets, he acknowledged the valuable lessons he has learned from the Indian spinner. While the Aussie is just four scalps away from the historic landmark, Ashwin is 11 short of the magic figure.
In an interview with cricket.com.au, Lyon, 36, revealed that he has closely followed Ashwin's career, highlighting the influence that the India international has had on his development as a spinner.
"You look at Ashwin, he's a world-class bowler and somebody I've watched closely from the start of his career," Lyon said ahead of his return to Test cricket after suffering a serious calf injury at Lord's last June.
"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. 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. 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."
What next for Nathan Lyon and R Ashwin?
Lyon will be in action against Pakistan in Perth on December 14. Whereas, Ashwin will take the field on Boxing Day against South Africa in Centurion.
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