Nathan Lyon Donates Signed Bats by Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to Support Disabled Cricketers

Australian national cricket team off-spinner Nathan Lyon has made a heartwarming gesture by donating three exclusive bats signed by India stars Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin to the National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC). Lyon, who serves as the ambassador for NCIC, is committed to supporting disabled cricketers in Australia.

As part of this initiative, Lyon donated these limited-edition bats to Taverners Australia, Cricket Australia’s social impact partner. Each bat features a Braille sticker in the centre, reading “a sport for all,” and is signed by both Australian and Indian Test stars. These bats will be auctioned, with the proceeds going towards funding pathways and programs for cricketers with disabilities.

Lyon shared a picture of the three bats on his social media handle, each signed by different players: Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah signed the first bat, Steve Smith and Virat Kohli signed the second bat, Nathan Lyon and Ravichandran Ashwin signed the third bat.

Lyon’s Initiative to Inspire Future Generations of Cricketers

In his role as ambassador, Lyon emphasized the importance of using their platform to inspire the younger generation. He expressed his desire for the auctioned bats to support cricketers with disabilities, paving the way for them to play at the highest level.

Lyon also highlighted his hope that the players from NCIC can earn a spot in the Australia Intellectual Disability (ID) team, saying, “These guys are representing South Australia up in Brisbane, so in my eyes, they are playing state cricket, and hopefully, they can put their hands up for international selection in the Australian ID team.”

Cricket Australia also shared the news on social media saying: 

“Ahead of the 2025 National Cricket Inclusion Championships, National Inclusion Ambassador for Cricketers with a Disability, Nathan Lyon, has donated three exclusive signed bats to Cricket Australia social impact partner Taverners Australia,”

“Each of these bats features a Braille sticker in the centre reading ‘a sport for all’ and are signed by an Australian and Indian Test player. @LordsTavAU are auctioning these bats, with proceeds going towards supporting pathways and programs for cricketers with a disability.” Lyon posted the pictures of the three signed bats on his ‘X’ handle.