Bengaluru: India’s Ravichandran Ashwin and Nathan Lyon of Australia have been among the best bowlers in Test cricket. The two off-spinners have bamboozled many batsmen. Fans and former cricketers are divided when it comes to choosing the best off-spinner in the world at the moment. Now, veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has given his views, picking the No. 1 between the two.

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The 33-year-old Ashwin has been India’s No. 1 spin choice in the five-day format. However, he has lost his place in the limited-overs squads. The case is similar with Lyon. The 32-year-old is a regular in Tests but not in ODIs and T20Is.

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In 71 Tests, Ashwin has taken 365 wickets. Lyon has played 96 Tests and has bagged 390 wickets.

On Monday (May 4), Ashwin interacted with Harbhajan on Instagram. Harbhajan, the 104-Test veteran, picked Ashwin as the best off-spinner in the world at the moment.

“Please look after yourself. India needs you for many years to come. You need to look after yourself to break many records going forward,” the 39-year-old Harbhajan told Ashwin.

Harbhajan dismissed allegations of him being “jealous” of Ashwin. “A lot of people think I am jealous (of you), I am this and that... To all those people, they can think whatever they want to.”

“All I want to say is you are the best off-spinner (in the world) who is presently playing the game. Of course, I like Nathan Lyon as well, don't get me wrong. I always put him up there because he plays in Australia; it is a very tough place to bowl. You know that, you have been there. You are one of those, legends in the making. You are making the country proud. I wish you lots and lots of wickets going forward,” Harbhajan said.

In the ICC Test rankings, Ashwin is at 12th position among the bowlers while Lyon is at 16th place. The duo will come face to face when India travel to Australia later this year for four Tests.