"Can't express my emotions..."- Ravichandran Ashwin drops bombshell on Nathan Lyon's comments during Ashes 2025/26

subhradeep-choudhury — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:26:28 GMT

Ravichandran Ashwin drops bombshell on Nathan Lyon's comments.

Post Australia’s opening day at the second day-night Ashes 2025/26 Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, their premier spinner, Nathan Lyon, dropped a statement of how he was not happy to get dropped, with the management bringing Michael Neser into the playing eleven. Many praised the spinner for his blunt statement.

The former Indian spin all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, also lauded Lyon for expressing his emotions but explained why he can’t do something like that. He pointed out how the Indian cricketers, even after having freedom to express their opinion, could face collateral damage in the long run.

“Nathan Lyon is lucky. If anyone is dropped from the team, the emotions would be similar to what Lyon expressed in front of the world. He got the media to express his views, and he did just that. The Australian team wouldn't feel bad, and he would play the Adelaide Test. I am just happy for Nathan Lyon.” Ashwin expressed in his YouTube video.

Ravichandran Ashwin drops surprising statement on Nathan Lyon’s comments from Ashes 2025/26

Ashwin also compared how the entire generation has accepted Chris Gayle for addressing himself as the Universe Boss. But he highlighted how they can’t note the same for the left-handed opening batter of the Blue Brigade, Abhishek Sharma. He hopes that there will be a cultural shift and that players are not judged for their opinions.

“People have emotions, and they will do just that. However, I cannot express my emotions, because if I do, I will lose out, and only harm will be caused. So why will I do that? However, I really respect Nathan Lyon; he let his emotions out. Good on him.” Ashwin noted in the video.

“We, as Indian cricketers, are allowed to express our opinion. No one is stopping us. But what is collateral damage? Your expression and emotion are not given as much respect because you will be stamped as a person of a certain character for doing that. I hope this will change with the passage of time, and it should.” The 37-year-old included.