Michael Vaughan found himself on the receiving end of heavy trolling on X on Saturday, 8 November, after attempting to spark an age-old debate by comparing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to the Ashes. As England gear up for their five-match Test series against Australia, Vaughan remarked that while India vs Australia contests have grown more competitive in recent years, they still don’t match the sheer legacy and build-up of the Ashes.
According to Michael Vaughan, the anticipation surrounding the Ashes is unparalleled in world cricket, and no India–Australia series can replicate that historical aura.
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“No question the India v Aussie series of late down under has been more competitive, but don’t tell me they are bigger than the Ashes. The build-up down in Oz for this Ashes is absolutely huge. You don’t get that for an IND v Oz series,” he posted.
No question the India v Aussie series of late down under have been more competitive .. but don’t tell they are bigger than an Ashes .. the build up down in Oz for this Ashes is absolutely huge .. you don’t that for an IND v Oz series .. #Fact #OnOn
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 7, 2025
Fans quickly clapped back, questioning when England last posed a real challenge in Australia. It was a fair point. England’s previous tour in 2021–22 saw them completely outplayed as Pat Cummins’ side dominated the series 4–0. That drubbing eventually triggered Joe Root’s resignation as Test captain and forced the ECB into an overhaul of its red-ball setup.
In current era, thrilling matches / series is mostly when #TeamIndia is involved
Ind vs Aus is one of the best series currently & attracts bigger crowd plus sponsorship
Recently even Ind vs Eng series@BCCI https://t.co/GVW9WwRHqT
— Subi (@subi_sa) November 8, 2025
lol it’s been 15 years since England won a test in Australia. In between England was once whitewashed, and barely managed to avert two more whitewashes. This is not competition. #TheAshes https://t.co/BbWlbYhHBh
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) November 8, 2025
This shows that you feel inferior yourself in writing this tweet Mike!
In game of cricket whichever is played in competitive way will be attractive!
In that case ; IndVsEng Test was most competitive in recent past. #ICCWomensWorldCup knockouts were really engaging! https://t.co/JmjpeYA9jO
— Angarai Sathya (@angarai_sathya) November 8, 2025
England hasn’t won a test series against Australia in 10 years, and they haven’t won a test in Australia in 15 years.
Only the past history is carrying this one sided rivalry. https://t.co/A2zGC20gcI— Harminder (ਹਰਮਿੰਦਰ) (@21harminder) November 8, 2025
Build up gimmicks hype is required to sell because on field England team is lull. Same with India – Pakistan ties lately.
England 🤝 Pakistan complement well in boasting and delusions.India vs Australia sustained on field quality. https://t.co/9R3Ml6U0dr
— CricRoyale (@cricroyale) November 7, 2025
Boss – When was the last time England won a test in Aus, let alone winning the series? Also, your premier batsman hasn’t scored a ton there ever. Ashes is marketed to be some kinda pinnacle of the sport but in reality, in Aus, it’s a competition between McDonalds and cows https://t.co/5HfDBwaBNd
— Athreyaa (Bharat Ratna for Ilaiyaraaja) (@athreyaa) November 8, 2025
In response, Rob Key took charge as managing director of men’s cricket and appointed Brendon McCullum as Test coach, ushering in the high-tempo “Bazball” era. While that approach sparked a thrilling 2–2 Ashes draw in England in 2023, performing with the same freedom on Australian soil will be a completely different challenge.
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England now head into another Ashes summer with optimism, but history hasn’t been kind to visiting teams. Australian pitches, crowd pressure, and relentless pace attacks have repeatedly unsettled England, and adapting to those conditions remains their biggest test.
Meanwhile, Australia have already begun full-fledged preparations, treating the Ashes as their marquee event. The opening Test begins on 21 November, with the series concluding on 8 January 2026. Whether England can finally break their long drought in Australia or face another harsh reality check remains the big question of this Ashes summer.
