England's recent defeat to India in the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series has exposed some vulnerabilities in their game, particularly in their ability to close out tight matches, raising concerns ahead of the upcoming Ashes series. The series against India, which ended in a 2-2 draw after a thrilling final Test at The Oval, highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the English side.

Throughout the series, England demonstrated their batting prowess, amassing huge scores, but their inability to consistently convert promising positions into victories has been a talking point. The final Test at The Oval perfectly encapsulated this issue, where England collapsed on the final day, losing their last seven wickets for just 66 runs, handing India a narrow six-run victory. This collapse, triggered by a reckless shot from Harry Brook, exposed a fragility in the English batting lineup under pressure.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has emphasized the need for "tough cricketers" who can withstand the intense pressure and scrutiny that comes with an Ashes series in Australia. He noted that the Ashes is not just a battle against 11 Australian cricketers but against a nation, the public, and the media. Hussain pointed to players like Darren Gough, Ian Botham, Andrew Flintoff, and Stuart Broad as examples of cricketers who thrived in the Ashes arena because they wouldn't back down from a fight.

England's preparation for the Ashes 2025-26 includes an intra-squad match against England Lions in Perth and a day-night fixture against the Australia Prime Minister's XI in Canberra. These matches will provide valuable opportunities for the team to acclimatize to Australian conditions and fine-tune their strategies. Ricky Ponting has suggested that England should play Shoaib Bashir as their frontline spinner for every Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series, believing his bowling style is well-suited for Australian pitches.

The upcoming Ashes series will be played at iconic Australian venues, including Perth Stadium, Brisbane Cricket Ground, Adelaide Oval, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia will be the defending holders of the Ashes, having won in 2021-22 and drawn in 2023. The series will form part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship.

While England possess the talent and firepower to compete with Australia, they must address their tendency to falter under pressure and find players who can rise to the occasion in critical moments. The ability to deliver the "finishing touches" will be crucial if they are to reclaim the Ashes.