The Ashes is one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in cricket. It dates back to 1882 when England lost to Australia at The Oval, leading to a mock obituary stating that English cricket had died and “the body will be cremated, and the ashes taken to Australia.” This sparked the birth of the Ashes series, which has been played ever since.
The Ashes attract global attention, captivating cricket fans from around the world. It is watched and followed by millions, making it one of the most-watched cricket series. The media coverage, analysis, and debates surrounding the Ashes contribute to its significance and popularity.The top bookmakers have Test match odds with them.
The Ashes series holds immense importance in international cricket due to its rich history, intense rivalry, traditional format, iconic venues, global attention, and symbolic significance. In this article, we have compiled a list of 5 players who were of Indian origin but participated in the Ashes.
1) Nasser Hussain
The former England skipper and Chennai-born, Nasser Hussain, captained England to a memorable Ashes victory in 2001. After losing the first Test of the series, Hussain's leadership played a crucial role in inspiring the team to bounce back and secure a 2-1 series win. This triumph marked the first time England had won the Ashes since 1987. Hussain was known for his gritty and determined approach to batting, particularly against the strong Australian bowling attack. His resilience and ability to battle through challenging conditions set an example for his teammates.
2) Mark Ramprakash
Mark Ramprakash's contribution to English cricket, particularly in the Ashes series, lies in his elegant batting style, his century in the 2001 Ashes series, and his subsequent work in coaching and developing young cricketers. He remains a respected figure in English cricket and a symbol of technical excellence at the crease. He was born in Bushey, United Kingdom but his father was from India and his mother was English. Ramprakash is known for his achievements in first-class cricket as he has scored 35000 first-class runs in 462 matches.
3) Monty Panesar
Monty Panesar, a left-arm orthodox spinner, made notable contributions to the Ashes series during his career representing England. Panesar claimed several important wickets throughout the 2009 Ashes series. Notably, in the second Test at Lord's, he took a crucial five-wicket haul in the second innings, playing a significant role in England's victory. Throughout his Ashes career, Panesar took a total of 17 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 49.35. Monty Panesar was born in Bedfordshire, England but his parents migrated from Punjab, India.Β
4) Stuart Clark
The only Indian-origin player who played in the Australian squad, Stuart Clark made a major contribution to Australiaβs success in the Ashes. Throughout the 2006-07 Ashes series, Clark consistently delivered impactful performances. He consistently troubled the English batsmen with his disciplined line and length, making it difficult for them to score freely. His ability to hit the right areas and exploit the conditions helped maintain pressure on the opposition and allowed the other bowlers to thrive. Clarkβs father was born in Chennai, India and his mother was from England.
5) Ravi Bopara
Ravi Bopara had a very short-lived career for England. He was part of 13 Tests only and out of which 4 Tests were played in the Ashes. Bopara's overall involvement in the Ashes series was limited to just two matches in 2009. After being dropped, he did not regain his place in the team for subsequent Ashes contests. While Bopara did not have a notable impact in the Ashes, he had successful stints in domestic cricket. His parents were from Punjab and relocated from India to England before Ravi was born.
