According to former England cricketer Graeme Swann, England will use the forthcoming Test series against India as a warm-up for the Ashes. A five-match Test series between the home team and India is scheduled to start on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds.
Although Graeme Swann conceded that India had outperformed England in recent meetings, he underlined that England is probably going to thrash them at home this time. With 11 victories from 22 games, England finished sixth in the 2023–25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
To be honest, it must be the ideal warm-up for the Ashes. India is a very popular series. We have visited India the past two or three times, and each time we have been completely outplayed.
We must defeat India in our own backyard, on our own territory. We must do well,” Graeme Swann stated.
Swann acknowledged that England’s inexperienced bowling team would have a great chance to settle into a rhythm during the India series. He said that England should try to take advantage of the situation and aim for a 4-1 series triumph, or at the at least, a 3-2 victory, pointing out that Indian mainstays Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were not present.
“Neither Virat Kohli nor Rohit Sharma, two batting superstars, will be available to them. Therefore, in the absence of it, they have excellent players replacing us, but we have bowlers who take advantage of our circumstances and bowl exceptionally effectively. In my opinion, England should aim to win this series and do so in a convincing manner. Swann concluded, “I sincerely hope we do well and get the confidence moving into the Ashes. I would take 4-1, but 3-2 at a push.”
England hasn’t won a Test match in Australia since 2011, and they last won the Ashes with a 3-2 series win at home in 2015.