Which series is bigger: The Ashes or the Border-Gavaskar trophy?

[jnaveen1980]

This was an absolute box office series. Unforgettable series. Would have been nice hadwe not carried passengers like Kohli

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Have you seen BOTH series? ... Yes/No please

Yes

 

[uppercut]

Ashes in England > BGT in Australia > BGT in India >>> Ashes in Australia

what is YOUR own metric for that ?

 

[Buffet]

True

Next series won't be flat like 2002-2019 Australia where it's just a contest of who has more Flat track beasts, English batting looks the best it has looked since 2012-2013 (still some top order issues, but Bethall and Duckett seem good)
as long as England doesn't mindlessly take fodder like Chris Woakes, Jack Leach or Shoaib Bashir to Australia we should be in for a good series.

Yah, I don't think Aus is dishing out super flat tracks. Aus batting firepower is not enough to win then.

As long as usual fodders are not taken there, it should be a good series.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

For me too. The build up, the match atmospheres, the aftermath. I think it was the first time cricket in the UK had such attention. It was absolutely incredible.

But I understand an Indian they will have had a different experience with their test series win against Australia.

What the hell is it worth them arguing so much about

Absolutely. Before that, wasnt really hooked on cricket.

 

[Buffet]

It will be the MOTHER OF ALL SERIES, the next Ashes battle.

Hope so. I want to see a cracking Ashes series in Aus.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Hope so. I want to see a cracking Ashes series in Aus.

I think England are geared up for this next ashes Series. It gives me similar vibes of 2010 - 2011 down under when England absolutely battered Australia. The Margins were as comprehensive as there's ever been for a Australia team to get beat at home.

 

[atreus]

I think this is fair but I am hyped for the next series. I want to see bazball down under.

If our recent track record is something to go by, the main bowlers would put in the work and the side bowlers would relieve all the pressure, whole theme of the last Ashes.

Though, Atkinson/Carse/Wood/Stone/Potts can be a good enough attack in Australia to take 20 wickets atleast

 

[mominsaigol]

For me too. The build up, the match atmospheres, the aftermath. I think it was the first time cricket in the UK had such attention. It was absolutely incredible.

But I understand an Indian they will have had a different experience with their test series win against Australia.

What the hell is it worth them arguing so much about

Indians want everything to be no 1 because they can't fathom the fact that no matter what they've done, cricket has always produced something better.

Ashes > BGT
Bradman >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sachin
Mcgrath >>>>>>>>>>>> Bumrah
Australia bigger trophy cabinet then India.

To this day they've yet to be no 1 in anything and this desperation has reached its breaking point.

The only thing their objectively no 1 in is India vs Pakistan rivalry hype as no matter how one sided it becomes, The crowd will go wild anytime Pakistan and India meet in a tournament and said rivalry exceeds England and Aus in whiteball as these 2 countries don't have a rivalry in odi, only in test.

 

[uppercut]

Yes

And you think a series in 2005 where these players listed below were absent in 2005 as compared to the 2001 BGT Series was of better quality ?

1. Steve Waugh
2. Mark Waugh
3. McGrath ( absent for 2 tests )
4. Gillespie
5. Langer
6. Slater

also don't forget that McGrath,Gilchrist,Warne,Ponting etc were in their prime during the 2001 series

 

[RexRex]

This was an absolute box office series. Unforgettable series. Would have been nice hadwe not carried passengers like Kohli

Serial flops like Gill, Kohli, Sharma have spoilt it for me tbh. Bumrah was the sole highlight, from an indian pov.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

And you think a series in 2005 where these players listed below were absent in 2005 as compared to the 2001 BGT Series was of better quality ?

1. Steve Waugh
2. Mark Waugh
3. McGrath ( absent for 2 tests )
4. Gillespie
5. Langer
6. Slater

also don't forget that McGrath,Gilchrist,Warne,Ponting etc were in their prime during the 2001 series

Langer and Gillespie played majority of 05 series. Waugh and junior were retired, but Martin and Mike Hussy were quality players.

 

[saimayubera]

There is a reason it's a 5 test series

 

[uppercut]

Langer and Gillespie played majority of 05 series.

But not in their prime. Thats my point. Nor was Hayden in 2005.

Waugh and junior were retired, but Martin and Mike Hussy were quality players.

Not even remotely close to the Waugh's

Just have a look at the Aussie team from the 2001 Series below that played in the Iconic Kolkatta test .... its just mind boggling!!

 

[jnaveen1980]

Serial flops like Gill, Kohli, Sharma have spoilt it for me tbh. Bumrah was the sole highlight, from an indian pov.

Booms, Jaiswal are okay. Reddy surprised me. But unbelievable crappy team selection has let us down. India should have gone with 4 seamers in all matches

 

[jnaveen1980]

Langer and Gillespie played majority of 05 series. Waugh and junior were retired, but Martin and Mike Hussy were quality players.

England won only the tests that Mcgrath missed lol

 

[aboveandbeyond]

England won only the tests that Mcgrath missed lol

McGrath was back for the fifth Test, yet England still won the series.

 

[saimayubera]

McGrath was back for the fifth Test, yet England still won the series.

Doesn't change what he said.

 

[jnaveen1980]

McGrath was back for the fifth Test, yet England still won the series.

England has never beaten Australia with Mcgrath after 2000 except once which was mostly due to Australia's bold declaration at 176/4. It was in 2001. After that England could never beat Australia with Mcgrath.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

England has never beaten Australia with Mcgrath after 2000 except once which was mostly due to Australia's bold declaration at 176/4. It was in 2001. After that England could never beat Australia with Mcgrath.

Australia have not beaten England in England for a Quarter of Century

 

[aboveandbeyond]

Doesn't change what he said.

Makes no difference. Bottom line is England won the GOAT series in my opnion

 

[jnaveen1980]

I don't think either Indians or Pakistans can definitively say what is bigger.

The only ones who can judge are the Aussies as they are the participants in both.

Based on recent comments, they seem to be arguing that it's as big as the Ashes, then so be it.

As a fan I have interest in both of them

That is a fair call. Ashes is very good for trolling purposes. This one has been a serious rivalry because of the miracles that happened in these encounters over the years. If i have to pick one guy who played a major major role in development of this rivalry that has to be Laxman. So many miracles happened because of him.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Australia have not beaten England in England for a Quarter of Century

You are talking about a series. I am talking about a Test lol

 

[jnaveen1980]

Makes no difference. Bottom line is England won the GOAT series in my opnion

GOAT series without the GOAT playing in those matches. If you had beaten Australia with Mcgrath in the side then we could admit that was a great series. Austrlaia has beaten ENgland like that so many times. SO they don't have to hype one series for 19 years. I still remember how England was terrorized by Mitchell Johnson. They all batted like tailenders. Same year where Kohli made 4 centuries in Australia.

 

[pillionrider]

Neither is as big as the Eng-Pak and SA-Pak test series. In terms of runs piled, though.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Neither is as big as the Eng-Pak and SA-Pak test series. In terms of runs piled, though.

Yea.. batting standards are very high . Rickoeton, Bavuma example lol

 

[aboveandbeyond]

England has never beaten Australia with Mcgrath after 2000 except once which was mostly due to Australia's bold declaration at 176/4. It was in 2001. After that England could never beat Australia with Mcgrath.

England Hammered Australia in the opening Ashes test of 1997 at Edgbaston when s certain Glenn McGrath got hammered all over.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

GOAT series without the GOAT playing in those matches. If you had beaten Australia with Mcgrath in the side then we could admit that was a great series. Austrlaia has beaten ENgland like that so many times. SO they don't have to hype one series for 19 years. I still remember how England was terrorized by Mitchell Johnson. They all batted like tailenders. Same year where Kohli made 4 centuries in Australia.

I do admit mcgrath being one of the GOATS.

But so where Gilchrist Ponting warne , and others where World class performers

 

[jnaveen1980]

England Hammered Australia in the opening Ashes test of 1997 at Edgbaston when s certain Glenn McGrath got hammered all over.

1997? lol You mean when Mcgrath was early in his career. I specifically said after 2000.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

1997? lol You mean when Mcgrath was early in his career. I specifically said after 2000.

Lol

 

[jnaveen1980]

I do admit mcgrath being one of the GOATS.

But so where Gilchrist Ponting warne , and others where World class performers

You needed 4 strong fast bowlers, absence of mcgrath to win a series in England. One of the test by 2 runs. your home turf. India drew series in Australia in 2004/05 infact utterly dominated Australia except one innings without Mcgrath.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

You needed 4 strong fast bowlers, absence of mcgrath to win a series in England. One of the test by 2 runs. your home turf. India drew series in Australia in 2004/05 infact utterly dominated Australia except one innings without Mcgrath.

Look . If you think I'm downplaying indias achievements against Australia then your mistaken.

I'm just merely pointing out what captivated my attention them days when it came to Sport.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Look . If you think I'm downplaying indias achievements against Australia then your mistaken.

I'm just merely pointing out what captivated my attention them days when it came to Sport.

I am just pointing out that how clueless some fans are about this rivalry. It dates back to 2001. It is not like someone made up 5 years back and started. Even Brett Lee mentioned about that. This famous rivalry started with Laxman's 281. If anything Laxman was the key cataylst for this rivalry. He not only saved India also helped win India against Australia numerous times during that phase.

 

[aboveandbeyond]

I am just pointing out that how clueless some fans are about this rivalry. It dates back to 2001. It is not like someone made up 5 years back and started. Even Brett Lee mentioned about that. This famous rivalry started with Laxman's 281. If anything Laxman was the key cataylst for this rivalry. He not only saved India also helped win India against Australia numerous times during that phase.

I do agree. Indian batting line-up up in that era was very strong.

 

[JaDed]

It’s a very good series but Aus needs to win this to keep it competitive, 2014-15 is when they last won this contest.

 

[jnaveen1980]

It’s a very good series but Aus needs to win this to keep it competitive, 2014-15 is when they last won this contest.

We made sure that is possible with all the captaincy chaos, retirement chaos. INjury to Shami, Kuldeep also made the life easier for them. I cannot believe Australia has still not won it. But for one brainfade India would be 1-1 in this test.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

And you think a series in 2005 where these players listed below were absent in 2005 as compared to the 2001 BGT Series was of better quality ?

1. Steve Waugh
2. Mark Waugh
3. McGrath ( absent for 2 tests )
4. Gillespie
5. Langer
6. Slater

also don't forget that McGrath,Gilchrist,Warne,Ponting etc were in their prime during the 2001 series

Calm down

 

[atreus]

what is YOUR own metric for that ?

my opinion, I think Ashes 2019 was way better than BGT 2018-19, and Ashes 2023 and this BGT have been on par, Ashes 2015 over 2014 Australian BGT too.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Australia have not beaten England in England for a Quarter of Century

Whether Australia has beaten England in England in recent years or not is irrelevant because both English and Australian fans share a deep emotional connection to the Ashes rivalry, rooted in a rich history. In contrast, the India-Australia rivalry often feels one-sided, with Indian fans viewing it as more intense than Australians, who treat it as a competitive series, similar to how they approached matches against South Africa during its prime.

For Indian fans, the rivalry with Pakistan carries a different weight, often resembling a war-like passion. While some fans may downplay this for various reasons, the intensity is undeniable.

 

[RexRex]

Let's use pakpassion as the barometer. The activity levels of the neutral posters (aka pakistanis) on PP during this BGT series in the match threads have been 10x the activity levels that i observed during the Ashes 2023 series.

Ergo BGT > Ashes

 

[ali_ed2006]

We made sure that is possible with all the captaincy chaos, retirement chaos. INjury to Shami, Kuldeep also made the life easier for them. I cannot believe Australia has still not won it. But for one brainfade India would be 1-1 in this test.

Lol you're forgetting how rain saved India from being down 1-3

 

[Pakpak]

I don't think either Indians or Pakistans can definitively say what is bigger.

The only ones who can judge are the Aussies as they are the participants in both.

Based on recent comments, they seem to be arguing that it's as big as the Ashes, then so be it.

As a fan I have interest in both of them

This question was asked on another popular online portal. And every single Aussie voted for the Ashes with almost everyone saying they would rather lose 5-0 to India every series as long as they win the Ashes and some of them found it bemusing how much India invests in this 'rivalry'. Ofcourse our Indian friends frothed at the mouth hearing this. Unfortunately since I can't mention other places I am not allowed to post links but thought I'd mention this.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

This question was asked on another popular online portal. And every single Aussie voted for the Ashes with almost everyone saying they would rather lose 5-0 to India every series as long as they win the Ashes and some of them found it bemusing how much India invests in this 'rivalry'. Ofcourse our Indian friends frothed at the mouth hearing this. Unfortunately since I can't mention other places I am not allowed to post links but thought I'd mention this.

Not the first time I have heard this. Australians and Englishmen treat the Ashes like it’s the only thing keeping the universe from collapsing.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Lol you're forgetting how rain saved India from being down 1-3

How do you say they would have won just by taking 10 wickets lol If anything they got destroyed in the 2nd innings. India could have potentially chased down. Even in the last match they were only 190 away when Jaiswal dropped and Rohit allowed them to get away. Australia was uber lucky they were facing the worst captain in the Indian history.

 

[MP2011]

How do you say they would have won just by taking 10 wickets lol If anything they got destroyed in the 2nd innings. India could have potentially chased down. Even in the last match they were only 190 away when Jaiswal dropped and Rohit allowed them to get away. Australia was uber lucky they were facing the worst captain in the Indian history.

Even a Kohli, at the fag end of his career can marshall his troops better than clueless Rohit who is fit to captain IPL teams only.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Even a Kohli, at the fag end of his career can marshall his troops better than clueless Rohit who is fit to captain IPL teams only.

I cannot believe how he let guys like Boland and Lyon add that many runs. These guys have so many weaknesses to exploit.

 

[mominsaigol]

Let's use pakpassion as the barometer. The activity levels of the neutral posters (aka pakistanis) on PP during this BGT series in the match threads have been 10x the activity levels that i observed during the Ashes 2023 series.

Ergo BGT > Ashes

Yes cause you guys bait them 24/7 that's why

 

[ali_ed2006]

How do you say they would have won just by taking 10 wickets lol If anything they got destroyed in the 2nd innings. India could have potentially chased down. Even in the last match they were only 190 away when Jaiswal dropped and Rohit allowed them to get away. Australia was uber lucky they were facing the worst captain in the Indian history.

Again, rain was the reason. 18 overs 89-7, clearly because of the pending weather. Rain had a huge impact on that game. Australia had a lead of 185 after bowling India out for 260. If not for the weather, you could expect them to easily give India 400 odd to chase. And you know as well as I do this Indian batting line up is not capable of chasing that.

 

[ali_ed2006]

Indian fans keep trying to downplay the efforts of other team. They forget that when they won the series last 2 times, there was no Smith and Warner for one series and Tim Paine was captain. Yet they like to glorify those results.

 

[BCCI-Enforcer]

More spectator came to watch India practice session in Australia than go to watch test match in Pakistan.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Again, rain was the reason. 18 overs 89-7, clearly because of the pending weather. Rain had a huge impact on that game. Australia had a lead of 185 after bowling India out for 260. If not for the weather, you could expect them to easily give India 400 odd to chase. And you know as well as I do this Indian batting line up is not capable of chasing that.

WHat pending weather. India has chased down targets before. How the heck you can conclude they would give us 400 runs to chase?

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

It has been a great series but have to say, really disappointed by the reaction of the fans, which has turned toxic.

I saw a video today where Australian fans in the stadium were chanting "where's you visa?" at Indian fans.

Online Indian fans were abusing Travis Head's wife and toddler. And some fans were even talking about how some Indian bowler should do to Sam Konstas what happened to Philip Hughes.

This kind of stuff is really pathetic and low. At the end of the day its a sport. There is no needs to sink to these kinds of lows.

 

[Buffet]

It has been a great series but have to say, really disappointed by the reaction of the fans, which has turned toxic.

I saw a video today where Australian fans in the stadium were chanting "where's you visa?" at Indian fans.

Online Indian fans were abusing Travis Head's wife and toddler. And some fans were even talking about how some Indian bowler should do to Sam Konstas what happened to Philip Hughes.

This kind of stuff is really pathetic and low. At the end of the day its a sport. There is no needs to sink to these kinds of lows.

I think you are reading too much into what some trolls are doing from all sides. A large majority of Aus fan will never do what some fans were doing in stadium. Same way , a large majority of Indian fans won't abuse Head. Vocal ones catches our attention and in televised/social media era, we tend to remember that due to sticking out of norm.

In fact, some one in our own forum was feeling happy with Bumrah being injured yesterday. It was just one person and it stoof out to me. But most fans here wanted to see fully fit players going at each other.

Agree with your over all post, it's just sports and entertianment. No need to sink that low. But I think, in current time, sinking low crowd gets noticed easily despite being in tiny minority. Not just cricket related , but I notice that in other aspects as well. Time to time, I have to remind myslef that most people are not like that despite seeing that kind of behaviour.

 

[uppercut]

my opinion, I think Ashes 2019 was way better than BGT 2018-19, and Ashes 2023 and this BGT have been on par, Ashes 2015 over 2014 Australian BGT too.

what are the verifiable facts that led you to form those opinions?

 

[uppercut]

This question was asked on another popular online portal. And every single Aussie voted for the Ashes with almost everyone saying they would rather lose 5-0 to India every series as long as they win the Ashes and some of them found it bemusing how much India invests in this 'rivalry'. Ofcourse our Indian friends frothed at the mouth hearing this. Unfortunately since I can't mention other places I am not allowed to post links but thought I'd mention this.

As can be seen by the record ground attendance figures in the current BGT series lol. Perhaps that Memo did not reach out to the Aussie masses eh ? Maybe the evil Martians intercepted that memo ?

 

[The Bald Eagle]

This year's BGT has lived upto its hype

 

[Buffet]

what are the verifiable facts that led you to form those opinions?

Same facts can lead to different opinions depending on viewer.

Often we see in 50-50 close calls during umpire review. Same facts, same set of fans but it will be often interepreted differently depending on if it is in your favor or against. It happens for most people.

Point is , he thinks Ashes in Eng is better for him. It has been competitive tests and series in Eng so its not really an opinion without any facts. No one will say that cricket has not been competitive in Eng during Ashes.

When it is very clear cut, it's ok to ask why. But difference is not huge enough to say that why someone will think Ashes in Eng has been best series for them. Yes, I am aware of some key players missing in Eng Ashes and all related arguments, but still cricket has been very competitive in Ashes in Eng.

I just hope to see a cracking Ashes in Aus next time. Eng has a team to do that.

More good series, better for all fans.

 

[uppercut]

Same facts can lead to different opinions depending on viewer.

Not sure how that can be in this scenario .... considering that the Crowd figures ( which is a very good indicator of popularity ) are breaking all Ashes records in Australia. There is no other explanation that the BGT has surpassed Ashes. The Cricket itself has been of exceptional quality.​

 

[SpiritOf1903]

BG atm. It's the two best teams

 

[Buffet]

Not sure how that can be in this scenario .... considering that the Crowd figures ( which is a very good indicator of popularity ) are breaking all Ashes records in Australia. There is no other explanation that the BGT has surpassed Ashes. The Cricket itself has been of exceptional quality.​

He was saying about him putting Ashes in Eng as the best.

 

[uppercut]

He was saying about him putting Ashes in Eng as the best.

yes I know but at the same time he is not backing his opinions with hard facts. At that rate any one can say Afg vs Zim is a better than BGT . Just because its a free world and anyone can say anything on the internet .... it does not mean its factually correct.​

 

[Buffet]

yes I know but at the same time he is not backing his opinions with hard facts. At that rate any one can say Afg vs Zim is a better than BGT . Just because its a free world and anyone can say anything on the internet .... it does not mean its factually correct.​

But you know very well that Ashes in Eng has been very good cricket with competitive series so nothing like Afg Vs Zim.

 

[big_gamer007]

05 for me any day lol. It's the best series I've ever seen.

Ashes 2005 is the greatest test series ever.

You can’t compare a 3 match series with a 5 match series. Ashes 2005 was the pinnacle of test cricket.

People who care about only their own cricketing nation are the only ones who will rank any other series above ashes 2005.

 

[big_gamer007]

Have you seen BOTH series? ... Yes/No please

Ashes 2005 was pinnacle of test cricket, nothing comes close to it.

2001 series was 3 match series, had it been 5 match series and remaining 2 matches been same way then it would have competed with ashes 2005.

In fact the one where everyone was mocking kohlis shoulder was also top quality and just below ashes 2005 and slightly above or on par with 2001.

Otherwise for any cricketing fan ashes 2005 ranks much higher than any other test series.

Fans who don’t care about other country’s matches and only care about when their country plays are the ones who will rank other series above ashes 2005. That’s natural and nothing wrong in having that opinion, however, for purists and pundits ashes 2005 will be top dog.

 

[Devadwal]

Yes Ashes is only competitive in england but in australia it's one sided while BGT is competitive in both countries ,india and australia

So no comparison at all

BGT>> Ashes

But you know very well that Ashes in Eng has been very good cricket with competitive series so nothing like Afg Vs Zim.

 

[Major]

Atleast Ashes lasts five days. This test ended in three days and here we have people thinking its bigger than ashes

 

[BouncerGuy]

Stay on topic guys

 

[jnaveen1980]

This BGT was a resounding success. Cricket AUstralia is proudly sharing tweets almost every day about the success of this tour.

 

[Varun]

England are too feeble to play cricket (or football) with intensity.

By the time the series gets to Melbourne they are mentally back in Hampshire.

 

[uppercut]

Ashes 2005 was pinnacle of test cricket, nothing comes close to it.

Absolutely not. The 2001 Kolkatta test forever changed the follow-on strategy where-in the follow on option was rarely used thereafter by captains from all teams. No such far reaching consequences can be attributed to the 2005 Ashes.

The 2001 Kolkatta test is such a Epic test match that it alone overshadows the entire 2005 Ashes Series which BTW was missing some really big names of Aussie cricket.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

England are too feeble to play cricket (or football) with intensity.

By the time the series gets to Melbourne they are mentally back in Hampshire.

You guys gave them a good run for their money this time.

Off spinner chickening out, captain getting dropped, back up cast getting badly exposed, Kohli meltdowns.

Sprinkle on a few retirements when your plan lands in Australia and you have basically had a classic English tour to Oz.

 

[starpain]

This question was asked on another popular online portal. And every single Aussie voted for the Ashes with almost everyone saying they would rather lose 5-0 to India every series as long as they win the Ashes and some of them found it bemusing how much India invests in this 'rivalry'. Ofcourse our Indian friends frothed at the mouth hearing this. Unfortunately since I can't mention other places I am not allowed to post links but thought I'd mention this.

Those people online don't speak for majority. Game evolve with time and so does fans. Newer generations of fans may not believe in notion that Ashes is pinnacle of Cricket.

As I said before, the best way to gauge the interest is Tv ratings stats and stadium Crowd in the test series. From What I've heard, BGT 2024-2025 series had record breaking Crowds. We'll have to wait for 1 more year to get the better picture when England arrives in Australia.

 

[jnaveen1980]

You guys gave them a good run for their money this time.

Off spinner chickening out, captain getting dropped, back up cast getting badly exposed, Kohli meltdowns.

Sprinkle on a few retirements when your plan lands in Australia and you have basically had a classic English tour to Oz.

Ashwin never chickens out. He batted 43 overs with injury taking blow and drew the SCG test in 2021 which is why INdia even won the series. He was badly treated. He called it quits. He came there with full preparation for each batsmen. They sat him out. Ask any Australia who is the most threatening bowler. Second name would be Ashwin

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Those people online don't speak for majority. Game evolve with time and so does fans. Newer generations of fans may not believe in notion that Ashes is pinnacle of Cricket.

As I said before, the best way to gauge the interest is Tv ratings stats and stadium Crowd in the test series. From What I've heard, BGT 2024-2025 series had record breaking Crowds. We'll have to wait for 1 more year to get the better picture when England arrives in Australia.

You can't use crowds as a metric.

India has the most people in the world and many of them have nothing else to do but watch cricket.

It will likely always have the higher attendances.

 

[mominsaigol]

You can't use crowds as a metric.

India has the most people in the world and many of them have nothing else to do but watch cricket.

It will likely always have the higher attendances.

This, imagine using crowds as a metric when you literally have a 1.4B vela population

 

[jnaveen1980]

You can't use crowds as a metric.

India has the most people in the world and many of them have nothing else to do but watch cricket.

It will likely always have the higher attendances.

Not true. lol You don't see that much crowd in Indian test matches. Except at Dharamsala i hardly saw any crowd in India for 5 test series against England.

 

[Ice Man]

Ashes will always rank top for us. Too much history and bad blood for it not to be. As an example, 12 months out from the Ashes and there was already alot of chatter in Australia in regards to the series.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Ashwin never chickens out. He batted 43 overs with injury taking blow and drew the SCG test in 2021 which is why INdia even won the series. He was badly treated. He called it quits. He came there with full preparation for each batsmen. They sat him out. Ask any Australia who is the most threatening bowler. Second name would be Ashwin

He pulled a Graeme Swann in a sense.

Sharma got dropped and India were ready to change their strategy.

Ashwin could have played this test. There is no value being second most threatening bowler in a poll of Australians when you ar sitting in India with no chance of playing.

In hindsight he must have some regrets and I think some Indian fans are being too kind with their assessment of his decision.

 

[starpain]

You can't use crowds as a metric.

India has the most people in the world and many of them have nothing else to do but watch cricket.

It will likely always have the higher attendances.

We definitely can use crowd as metric in Australia for Test Cricket. Even in India, Test cricket stadiums are never filled.

 

[jnaveen1980]

He pulled a Graeme Swann in a sense.

Sharma got dropped and India were ready to change their strategy.

Ashwin could have played this test. There is no value being second most threatening bowler in a poll of Australians when you ar sitting in India with no chance of playing.

In hindsight he must have some regrets and I think some Indian fans are being too kind with their assessment of his decision.

Australians were happy India dropped Ashwin in world cup final, and WTC final. They consider him a genuine threat. Even i was surprised when they call him a nightmare and issued dedicated tributes for him. Remember 2011 world cup quarter final India vs Australia. MSD picked Ashwin just for that match. He opened the bowling bowled inside power play 5 overs 22 runs nailed Watson and later Ricky ponting.