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As England is undergoing a series of five -game tests against India, former international Ryan Sidebottom believes that this summer’s challenge could show an even more severe examination than its ash opponents at the end of this year.
While cricketing calendar often revolves around the prestige of dealing with Australia, Sidebottom sees the Indian series, which quickly approaches as a defining moment for the ambitions of the red ball in England.
“I would argue that India could be slightly stronger than Australia … a little,” he told the Cricket bets Boylesports team, when asked if the current test test should have an eye on the ashes tour 2025/26 from November. “But you have to play the one in front of you. You can’t look too much, otherwise it will catch you very quickly.
“Take every test game, every day as it comes. If you are commissioned, the cricket eventually, over time and Australia, will take care of himself.”
For Sidebottom, the current side of England must deal with the India series as its own challenge, not just a warm -up. The calendar and the quality of the opposition, according to him, make it a larger indicator where England is.
“This is a huge and enormous series for England. It is a great series for several players, especially in the battle line.
“There has been a number talking about Zak Crawley, his inconsistencies. He marked a great 200, 300, but then he gets low scores. Is it a bit too attacker?
“I think we have the battle line to take on any wonderful bowling attack. The only thing that worries me is England’s bowling attack in Australia. Again, it is quite inexperienced. So if they do well in this series, the one who raises and counts, which will be counted on Australia.
“They will be very sure to enter the Ashes series. But again, a great series of tests, enormous for England. The way you do will allocate how they act in Australia.”
Sidebottom sees India’s series as the hardest of the two. While recognizing the historical weight of ashes, he believes that the current challenge of India’s quality bowls and young dynamic players should not be underestimated.
“With the loss of Jimmy (Anderson) and Stuart Broad in the bowling attack, is it now, especially if you lack Mark Wood for injury or a Chris Woakes, a young and inexperienced attack?
“But then you could argue that India has lost many of the world superstiles regarding its line of battle. So I think it will be a very intriguing tests series.
“Who will go out on top? I think it’s the one who wears the most.
“Siraj, Bumrah, have an experienced attack throughout the round. Shardul Thakur also had a great time in a series of tests for the last time, but unfortunately it was injured.
“Kl Rahul is a wonderful player. But then you have the inexperience of a wonderful and amazing bathery alignment.
“Who will go out on top? I think, for me, India could do it with his bowling attack.”
Among those that India has in England are names that Sidebottom considers to be great threats.
“You have (Yasasvi) Jaiswal, who is a wonderful cricketter, who will go to the series of tests, very attacking.
“You have (Rishabh) Pant, who has returned to creation after a long dismissal due to injury. India has a strong line again and is almost like these superstarles in India, as newcomers arrive in England.
“Can they manage the ball in motion? Can they manage the conditions of England? If they can, I would say that India can only channel it in terms of players and talent.”
However, the true challenge, according to Sidebottom, is in the temperament, especially for England under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
“When England stands at the top and rolling, they are wonderful to see. They are very entertaining, they are not?
“Bazball” type in Brendan McCullum does not like to talk. But sometimes you have to play the situation. You have to play the occasion. And sometimes England loses many doctors in groups, not? Because they are so guides and think that “we will attack ourselves outside of this situation.”
“You are still playing test cricket. It’s still five days. You can go back time. You can stay -you can get it out.
And as for Sidebottom? It will closely follow the series from the venue.
“With what is ahead, for me, I am very excited by this series of tests against India. I love the explosion of the T20, the IPL, and the game is growing, from the perspective of women and the men’s game.
“However, I love the test cricket, it is a test for a reason and I say it all the time; it tests you mentally, physically. It can focus for five days and to be consistent? It is huge for England, it is huge for the players. If you play well in this series, the impulse that will keep you forward in the ashes.
“I will be there in every test, every day and I will stick from the stands looking very closely who acts!”
For Ryan Sidebottom, this series is much more than a warm -up: it is a true measure of the credentials of England. And they will have to be at their best.
