'Better than Ashes 2005...'- Ravichandran Ashwin's groundbreaking comparison of ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

Looking at the blockbuster conclusion of the fifth Kennington Oval Test match of the five-match series between England and India and the growing excitement of the entire series, discussions were made on whether it could be compared with the Ashes 05, which is the most prolific series in the red-ball format since 2000.

In the battle, the former Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, has put some fire where he felt that this series has overtaken the 2005 Ashes in terms of quality. The Ashes ended in favor of the Michael Vaughan-led side by a 2-1 margin. It was one of the iconic five-match Test series in the history of the game.

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‘A lot of people are comparing this series with the 2005 Ashes, but I think this series was slightly better than even the 2005 Ashes, because there was so much more imperfection, from both sides. If you look at that Australian team, there was Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, you had Michael Kasprowicz, Shaun Tait. From this side (England), you had Simon Jones, Steve Harmison, you had Ashley Giles.’ R Ashwin expressed on his YouTube channel, Ash ki Baat.

Ravichandran Ashwin's groundbreaking comparison of ENG vs IND 2025 Test series

‘There was a lot of experience in the bowling attacks. There was experience in the batting too. There was a lot of hard-fought cricket, where you couldn't see a lot of mistakes. It was hard-fought. In this series, there were a lot of mistakes. But the young players have corrected their mistakes and gotten better through the series.’ Ashwin added in the discussion.

Under Ben Stokes, England won the opening Headingley Test of the series before Shubman Gill earned his first red-ball win for India as a leader at Edgbaston. The home side made a comeback with a dramatic victory at Lord’s, while the tourists' determination stretched it to a draw. India were out of the game at Kennington Oval until Mohammed Siraj’s special performance pushed it to end on a 2-2 margin.

‘And that's the beauty of it. Players corrected their vulnerabilities and made this series a festival for us. (For) Anyone who paid money to go watch the match would say they didn't get their money's worth. Twenty-five days of riveting cricket.’ Ashwin concluded.