New Delhi, Aug 7: As the cricketing world recovers from the high-octane Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between India and England, all eyes now shift to the upcoming Ashes 2025 series, set to kick off on November 21.
Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes the age-old rivalry between England and Australia will live up to its reputation and match the excitement generated by the recent India-England Test battle.
The inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ended in a gripping 2-2 draw, leaving fans and experts awestruck with its sheer intensity, drama and emotional weight.
Several cricketing voices — including India’s own Ravichandran Ashwin — have even gone so far as to say the series surpassed the legendary 2005 Ashes.
Panesar, speaking to ANI, echoed this growing anticipation.
“Well, the Ashes is the next big thing. Will it live up to the hype of the expectations? I think it will. I think it is going to be an amazing series,” he said confidently.
England will head into the Ashes after an emotionally charged summer, where they matched India toe-to-toe. However, Panesar warned that Australia’s potent bowling attack will pose a stern test.
“It really depends on how England counteract the Australian bowlers. They are a huge challenge — a very strong bowling attack. England cannot afford to be careless,” he remarked, referencing a loose dismissal by Jacob Bethell at The Oval as a cautionary tale.
Panesar stressed that putting up big first-innings totals — in the range of 400 to 450 — will be crucial for England’s success Down Under.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin, reviewing the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy on his YouTube channel, praised the series for its raw and unpredictable nature.
“A lot of people are comparing this series with the 2005 Ashes, but I think this series was slightly better — because there was so much more imperfection, from both sides,” Ashwin said.
The classic 2005 Ashes, which saw England reclaim the urn for the first time in 18 years with a thrilling 2-1 win, remains etched in cricket history. Whether the 2025 edition can replicate — or even surpass — that legacy remains to be seen. But if recent cricketing contests are anything to go by, fans are in for another blockbuster showdown.
As the countdown to Ashes 2025 begins, the stage is set for another chapter in cricket’s most storied rivalry.
With England riding the emotional wave of a fiercely contested summer and Australia sharpening their arsenal for the battle ahead, expectations are sky-high.
If the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy taught us anything, it’s that Test cricket is alive, thriving, and capable of delivering cinematic drama.
Now, it’s up to England and Australia to match that crescendo — or perhaps, write a new epic that future generations will recall with awe.
While comparisons with past great series are inevitable, the beauty of Test cricket lies in its unpredictability — and that’s exactly what makes Ashes 2025 so tantalising. With both teams stacked with talent, history, and a point to prove, this series won’t just be about reclaiming the urn; it’ll be about defining a generation. (Agencies)
