BGT 2024/25: Nathan Lyon is a more 'complete bowler' than R Ashwin - Former SA spinner's BIG claim

Ahead of the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), former South Africa spinner Paul Adams reckoned that Nathan Lyon has a more 'complete game' than arch-rival R Ashwin. Both Lyon and Ashwin are modern-day greats and amongst the top 10 highest wicket-takers in the purest format. The duo are currently gearing up for the India-Australia Test series, in Australia, with the series opener scheduled to kick off on November 22 in Perth.

In a virtual interaction arranged by SA20, Adams said, "I still think Nathan Lyon has a more complete game in terms of competing in the subcontinent and in Australia or South Africa, those types of conditions, than Ashwin. He has a carrom ball that can turn the ball the opposite ways. But Lyon has been someone who has bowled with a lot of over-spin. That challenges the batters," Adams further mentioned.

In 105 Tests, Ashwin has 536 wickets – seventh-overall – whereas the Aussie veteran Lyon has 530 (eighth overall) scalps in 129 Tests.

Adams also spoke about Mohammed Shami and how his absence will hurt India in the upcoming BGT Down Under. Shami has been out of cricketing action since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to multiple injuries. While he marked his return to competitive cricket in Bengal's Ranji Trophy clash versus Madhya Pradesh, which started on Wednesday (Nov 13) in Indore, it remains to be seen if he can be a late addition to the Rohit Sharma-led India squad.

In this regard, Adams added "I think he will be a major miss for India, given the Australian conditions. The pace and bouncy wickets in Australia would have helped India in gaining the upper hand if Shami had been in the squad but that's not in the selector's hands as he is recovering, but I think he will be missed."

India squad for 2024/25 BGT:

Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar.

Travelling reserves:Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed