Lyon feels Border-Gavaskar Trophy is coming on par with Ashes for Aussies

The Ashes has been the flag-bearer of the ultimate rivalry in cricket. Besides the participating countries in England and Australia, it draws the attention from fans worldwide. 

However, Australia's premier off-spinner, Nathan Lyon, feels that the India-Australia Test Series is slowly becoming par with the Ashes.

Lyon, who has 94 wickets in 22 Test matches against India, commented on the increasing competition level between the two sides. 

ICC quoted the off-spinner, "It's massive. It's getting very similar to an Ashes series as the pinnacle series for an Australian cricketer." 

The Aussies have lost the last two instalments of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (2018-19 and 2020-21) on home soil.  Now, under the leadership of Pat Cummins, the Aussies will play a 4-Test series in India for the first time since 2017. 

Lyon looks forward to the challenge, which is also vital in the context of the World Test Championship. "This series with the Test Championship on the line as well it's going to be even more important and probably a bigger challenge."

"It's about doing the basics, not getting too far ahead of ourselves and enjoying the challenge - I think that's going to be the biggest one."

The Australian Test side has faced the Subcontinent challenge heads on, defeating Pakistan 1-0 in the 3-match series. The 2022-23 Border Gavaskar Trophy can hence be expected to be a nerve-wracking thriller.