Former England skipper Michael Vaughan said that even though the current India vs Australia series Down Under have been competitive, it pales in comparison to the Ashes build up. Vaughan said that the Men in Blue taking on the Aussies wasn’t bigger than the Ashes with the lead up to the latter series, set to start later this month, was huge.
“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 ..,” Vaughan posted on X.
The India vs Australia series started in October with 3 ODIs which saw the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the national set up for the first time since winning the Champions Trophy in March against New Zealand. After the hosts won the series 2-1, the series shifted to the shortest format where India are currently leading the hosts 2-1 in the 5-match series.
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
Josh Hazlewood, who played the first 2 matches of the T20I series and Travis Head, who played the first 3 matches of the T20I series were released from the squad to prepare for the Ashes. India spinner Kuldeep Yadav was also released from the Indian T20I squad to prepare for the upcoming home series against South Africa.
Australia’s Ashes squad for 1st Test
The Aussies have dropped young opener Sam Konstas from their Ashes 2025 squad for the first Test, starting November 21 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, with senior batter Marnus Labuschagne winning back his spot in the 15-man squad after strong performances in the domestic circuit for Queensland.
The hosts have also named three uncapped players for the series opener against England, including 31-year-old batter Jake Weatherald, who could be in with a chance to make his international debut as opener, replacing Konstas.
Meanwhile, Labuschagne could return to his favoured No.3 spot in the batting order after plundering five centuries in seven games across formats for Queensland. After a string of poor scores and Australia’s World Test Championsip final defeat to South Africa in June, Labuschagne was subsequently dropped from the side for the West Indies tour.
Veteran opener Usman Khawaja’s most recent opening partner, Konstas, has been dropped entirely from the squad following a dismal performance in the Test campaign in the Caribbean, where he managed scores of just 3, 5, 25, 0, 17, and 0.
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Australia squad: (First Test only): Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
