When two quality spinners are in opposite camps and set to operate on tracks assisting slow bowlers, the challenge posed to the batsmen facing them is going to be huge. And the high-profile four-Test series between India and Australia, commencing at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha here today will provide the first glance of the keen fight within the overall contest as hosts’ Ravichandran Ashwin and visitors’ Nathan Lyon line up against one another. Both are champion off-spinners, without question, the proof provided by their respective figures in Test cricket.

Impressive average

Ashwin, the slightly older of the two at 36, has grabbed 449 wickets in 88 Tests at an impressive average of 24-plus. Against Australia, Ashwin has grabbed 89 wickets in 18 Tests, 50 of them at home in eight matches on generally helpful tracks, with his best being 12-198 in his opening skirmish against the visitors at his hometown of Chennai in February, 2013.