One is a leading all-rounder who was floundering with the bat, could not bowl, did not adhere to team discipline and was axed for the Mohali Test.
The other, a lead off-spinner who was dropped one Test into the tour for showcasing mediocrity. Both came together to reinject some much-needed zest into Australia's sagging morale on Day Two of the Kotla Test.
For Watson, the chain of events in the past few days have been anything but familiar, and the twinkle in his eye on Friday as he turned up for the toss in his role as stand-in captain said it all. Although the first day's efforts must have left him disappointed, on Saturday he showed why the faith in his leadership role was not misplaced.
Watson can take credit for the Aussies having played true to their character and enjoying their best day on this trip. Although it can be argued he introduced Lyon a bit late, the attacking fields, the clapping in Pujara's face when the batsman was hit on the fingers, the sudden spring in the Aussie step, the rediscovery of the verbal barrage as a weapon of confrontation, all bore Watson's stamp of approval.
Watson proved himself more of a bowler's captain, and a clever one at that. No slips to set batsmen, often no slips to the pacers on this low, crumbling pitch.
A ring of fielders blocking the singles, forcing batsmen to play against the turn. Sweepers to cut out boundaries. Coaxing Lyon to bowl around the wicket and reaping the rewards. And yes, irritating MS Dhoni, too!
Lyon, meanwhile, showed why he is still Australia's best spinner in these conditions. He got into a nice rhythm, cut back his length, forced batsmen into the crease and let the pitch and his line do the rest. Of course, the pressure created at the other end from the pacers, who too had a good day, played a part.
Not surprisingly, Lyon was all praise for his skipper - although diplomatically - after a satisfying five-wicket haul, and admitted the new-found aggression had played a part in the day's success.
"Shane is a great player and great leader and everyone respects him. He is quite helpful. But Michael Clarke is the best captain I've played under. I spoke to Shane about getting into the contest and it worked. We were attacking and it was good to put the Indians under pressure."
Asked if they missed a trick by not playing the verbals earlier in the tour, Lyon was surprisingly candid.
"I think we do wish that we did do it earlier. That's a way that Australia plays its best cricket, when we're putting the contest to the opposition. And no matter who the opposition is, I think it works well."
Now, that sounds like the Aussies we're used to.
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