'Nothing but Respect': Nathan Lyon Lauds Ravichandran Ashwin After Historic 500th Wicket at Rajkot

Team Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked up his 500th Test wicket with the dismissal of English opener Zak Crawley on Day 3 of the third Test at Rajkot on Friday.

Following the incredible feat, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon posted a video message with the caption, “Congratulation to @ashwinravi99 on achieving the 500 Test wicket milestone. Many more to come.”

“Hey, Ash! Just want to say, a massive congratulations on taking 500 Test match wickets,” the Aussie spinner began.

“It has been an incredible journey to watch,” the 36-year-old continued.

“I’ve got nothing but respect for the way you have gone about it and your skill level”, Lyon said heaping praise on the fellow spinner.

“It has been amazing to be competing against you but also learn a few. So, mate, congratulations and plenty more to come,” he concluded.

Lyon is himself a member of the esteemed 500-wicket club as the Aussie has managed to scalp 517 Test wickets in his career so far.

India won the toss and opted to bat first against England in the third of the five-match Test series against the visitors as skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with his brilliant 131-run knock.

England made a bright start to the game as they had India at 33 for the loss of three wickets early on in the game before Rohit took control of things alongside Ravindra Jadeja.

Jadeja also went on to make a ton at his home ground, while debutant Sarfaraz Khan made a quality 62 runs off just 66 deliveries before being unceremoniously run out by Mark Wood following a mix-up between the wickets.

Dhruv Jurel, another player who was handed his first-team India cap, chipped in with a 46-run knock before Ashwin came up with a 37-run contribution with the willow.

India were bundled out for 445 runs as Wood was the pick of the bowlers for the touring Englishmen with 4 wickets to his name.

England came out to bat as Crawley and Ben Duckett opened the innings before Ashwin sent the former back to the hut for his landmark scalp. Ollie Pope then fell to Mohammed Siraj after having made 39 runs for his side.