Graeme Swann Courts Ire With 'Warm Up' Comment Ahead Of IND Vs ENG

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In his preview of India's tour of England the former English spinner termed the series as a warm-up to the Ashes Tests against Australia, which irked fans of the ICT.
Former English international Graeme Swann got into hot water following his preview of India's tour of England ahead of the five-match Test series as the spinner termed the Indian series as a warm-up to the Ashes Tests against Australia.
Fans of Team India were evidently irked by Swann's approach to the series and considered it disrespectful towards a strong side such as the Indian unit.
'It's the series is kind of the perfect warm-up for the Ashes," Swann said.
'India is a huge series, and the last two or three times we've gone to India, we've been thoroughly outplayed. So in our own backyard, we need to beat India," he continued.
'The perfect warm-up for the Ashes"Graeme Swann on England's Test series against India 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/woNyffMJ78
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 17, 2025
Swann also touched upon India being devoid of the services of two senior players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who called time on their careers in Test whites ahead of the English tour. Star batter Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new skipper of the side and while Rishabh Pant will be his deputy.
'We're going to have to play well," the 46-year-old added.
'They are not going to have Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, two of their most experienced players," he explained.
'Yes, they have great players coming in, but we have bowlers who exploit our conditions well," Swann continued.
'I think England must look to win this series convincingly. I'll take 4-1 or a 3-2 at most, but I hope we do well and get the confidence moving into the Ashes," the former England turner said.
India start the series against England on the 20th of June at Headingly, before heading to Edgbaston for the second Test. The storied Lord's will host the third game of the tour before the sides face off at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in the fourth fixture. The series will culminate with the fifth and final game at the Kennington Oval.
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