AUS vs IND: Nathan Lyon surpasses Ravichandran Ashwin to achieve special feat in Test cricket

In a thrilling encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Natan Lyon etched his name in cricket history by outplaying Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to become the seventh leading wicket-taker in Test cricket. This achievement came after a stellar performance during the fourth Test of the ongoing series between Australia and Indiawhere Lyon claimed five wickets, contributing significantly to Australia’s 184-run victory on 30 December.

A historic Boxing Day test

The Boxing Day Test is a prestigious event in the cricket calendar, and Lyon made it memorable by delivering an exceptional performance. He achieved figures of 3 for 96 in the first innings and followed with 2 for 37 in the second, finally sealing the match by dismissing. Mohammed Siraj with a perfectly executed delivery that caught him in front of the stumps. This crucial wicket not only ensured victory for the Australian team but also marked an important milestone in Lyon’s career.

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The numbers game: Nathan Lyon vs Ravichandran Ashwin

With this match, Lyon now has a total of 538 Test wickets in 133 matches, surpassing Ashwin’s tally of 537 wickets in 106 matches. Ashwin, who announced his retirement just a few days earlier on December 18, had been a formidable opponent throughout his career, establishing himself as one of the best spinners in modern cricket. The competition between these two spinners has been intense, with both players pushing each other to greater heights over the years.

All-time leading wicket takers

Lyon’s achievement places him among an elite group of bowlers. The list of leading wicket-keepers in Test history is as follows:

Equaling Ashwin’s World Test Championship record

Furthermore, with his five-wicket haul in this match, Lyon has equaled Ashwin’s record for most wickets taken in the World Test Championship (WTC)with both spinners now situated on 195 wickets. The race to break this record is heating up as both Lyon and the Australian captain Pat Cummins has a chance to surpass Ashwin’s mark in the upcoming fifth Test scheduled to begin on January 3, 2025.

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