R Ashwin namedrops Nathan Lyon to drop bombshell about his Team India career

Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested that he never had the liberty to openly show his frustration when denied a place in the national team unlike Nathan Lyon, who recently spoke candidly after being dropped by Australia. Ashwin said Lyon was “fortunate” to have a space to express raw emotions without inviting trouble.

“Nathan Lyon is lucky. If a player is dropped, the feelings are the same for everyone. He got a platform and used it, and the Australian camp won’t hold it against him — he will still play in Adelaide. I’m happy for him,” said Ashwin in a recent interaction.

He added that he would risk harm to his career if he expressed himself that openly. “Everyone has emotions, but I can’t reveal mine like that. If I do, I will be the one who suffers. So why should I? I respect Lyon for opening up — good on him.”

Lyon’s comments after missing a home Test for the first time since 2012 went viral, where he admitted he was “feeling filthy” about the omission. Though visibly upset, he still restrained his words on live TV.

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Ashwin highlighted the contrast between Indian and Australian cricket cultures, saying Australian players are encouraged to speak their minds without fear. Indian cricketers can too — but only if they’re willing to face potential judgment and consequences.

“We are allowed to talk, but the fallout matters. Emotional honesty isn’t always respected here — once you open up, you’re labelled. I hope this changes with time,” he said.

Ashwin retired from Test cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last year. Not selected for the Perth opener, he returned for the second Test in Adelaide but was benched again for Brisbane. After the match, he joined Rohit Sharma in a press conference and made his sudden retirement public — a decision that surprised many.

His father later claimed on Tamil television that Ashwin faced humiliation, though Ashwin later softened those remarks, saying his father wasn’t media-trained. Ashwin later told Rahul Dravid that extended periods on the bench during overseas tours weighed on him, and he wanted to prioritise time with his family.