Overview:
Ashwin mentioned that being as outspoken as Lyon after a demotion could bring unwanted trouble in the Indian setup.
Ravichandran Ashwin admitted that the Indian cricket setup doesn’t always allow him the liberty to show frustration when he’s not part of the playing group. He pointed to Nathan Lyon’s recent situation as an example, noting how the Australian off-spinner could publicly air his disappointment after missing out on the pink-ball Ashes Test in Brisbane a freedom Ashwin believes he doesn’t have.
When asked by Vimal Kumar about Nathan Lyon’s fiery comments after being axed for the Gabba Test, Ashwin took a moment before replying. Ashwin mentioned that being as outspoken as Lyon after a demotion could bring unwanted trouble in the Indian setup. He stressed that omission always stings, no matter who you are or how experienced.
This interview with Nathan Lyon on @7Cricket has understandably gone viral. Rarely do you get such raw emotion & feeling from a current cricketer & all credit to @Mel_Mclaughlin & her incredible interviewing skills pic.twitter.com/nf47AAsJXb
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 4, 2025
“Nathan Lyon is lucky to have a space where he can speak openly after being dropped. Any player would feel the same emotions Lyon showed publicly. The Australian team won’t hold it against him, and he will still be picked for the Adelaide Test. I’m genuinely glad for him,” Ashwin said.
“Everyone has emotions, and it’s natural to show them. But if I express mine openly, it could backfire and hurt me, so I choose not to. I genuinely admire Lyon for speaking his mind. Good on him for that,” Ashwin said.
The clip of Lyon reacting to his exclusion quickly became a talking point. He confessed he was furious at being dropped for a home Test for the first time since 2012. Even with emotions running high, Lyon restrained himself and avoided letting the anger spill fully during the televised interview.
Ashwin pointed out a stark contrast between how India and Australia handle player expression. He said Aussie cricketers are often encouraged to speak their minds freely, while Indian players must think twice before sharing strong opinions, knowing the backlash could follow.
“We can state our opinions without anyone stopping us. But the issue is that your words may lead to unwanted labels about your personality, and your emotions don’t always receive the respect they deserve,” Ashwin remarked
“Hopefully, things will improve as time goes on, and that’s how it should be.”