New Delhi [India]: Former England spinner Monty Panesar believes the upcoming Ashes series will match the excitement and drama of the recently concluded inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
The five-Test series between India and England ended in a hard-fought 2-2 draw, delivering an emotional rollercoaster filled with intensity, drama, and memorable performances—offering everything a cricket fan could ask for.
Many fans and former cricketers have even hailed the series as superior to the iconic 2005 Ashes. With England set to resume their fierce rivalry against Australia starting November 21, Panesar is confident that the Ashes will rise to the occasion.
“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,” Panesar told ANI.
Reflecting on the India series, Panesar acknowledged England’s ability to thrive under pressure, even as India embarked on a transitional phase. However, he warned the English side not to underestimate the formidable Australian bowling attack awaiting them.
“It really depends on how they counteract the Australian bowlers. I think they are going to be a huge challenge—a very strong bowling attack. But England cannot be careless. We saw careless batting from Jacob Bethell at The Oval. You need to score 450 or 400-plus in Australia. England will have to bat big,” he added.
Meanwhile, India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was among those who regarded the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as even better than the legendary 2005 Ashes.
“A lot of people are comparing this series with the 2005 Ashes, but I think this series was slightly better—even with all its imperfections from both sides,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
The 2005 Ashes series is remembered for England’s remarkable comeback after consecutive defeats at home and away. Under Nasser Hussain’s leadership, they reclaimed the urn for the first time since the 1986–87 series with a 2-1 victory.
