They are “similar in a way” as well as “different,” but one thing that is common to Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin is that both off-spinners are integral to their respective country’s prospects in Test cricket.

Over the last couple of years, Ashwin hasn’t quite been a regular feature in the XI during India’s away Tests, while Lyon continues to be Australia’s No.1 spinner in the longest format, irrespective of the conditions. However, it’s Ashwin that the 33-year-old has tried to learn the tricks from, especially when Australia have toured the subcontinent.

“Ashwin is a world class bowler. I have watched him a lot, especially when I have gone over to tour India and the subcontinent, and tried to learn from him.

“He’s a very cagey bowler and has all the variations,” Lyon told The Telegraph during Wednesday’s virtual conference facilitated by Sony Pictures Sports Network.

“He’s very cagey with the way he changes his pace, so that makes him a very talented bowler. We are similar in a way, but we are different as well, so I can’t compare myself to him.

“I think his record speaks for him. So yeah, hats off to him.”

Closing in on 400 Test wickets and his 100th Test, Lyon looks forward to a fresh contest with Cheteshwar Pujara, whom he had dismissed in the first innings at the Adelaide Oval. Hinting at further plans for India’s No.3 batsman if he threatens to post a big innings in the second Test at the MCG, Lyon said: “Pujara is going to be a big challenge for us for the rest of the series.

“We spoke about him in depth before the series started. It was good to see a couple of plans succeed in Adelaide, but we’ve got a couple more up our sleeves.”

With Australia’s pace trio in intimidating form, Lyon feels Indian batsmen could be more attacking in their approach against him in the remaining Tests. “I think it will be one of their tactics to come at me, which is totally fine.”