Former England captain Michael Atherton has declared that the 2005 Ashes remains superior to the recent England-India Test series. While the 2023 series enthralled fans, Atherton maintains that the intensity and quality of the 2005 clash were unmatched. England had secured the Ashes 2-1 in a series still hailed as a benchmark for modern cricket. Former England skipper Nasser Hussain asked Atherton if the Anderson-Tendulkar series could rival the 2005 Ashes. Speaking tp Sky Sports, Atherton said, “I don’t think the quality was as good as ’05. I don’t think I’ve seen a better series than the ’05 Ashes. It was a great team on the decline and the emerging team, absolutely great players at the top of their game." He added, “But it was probably the best series since ’05. The 2023 Ashes was fantastic, but I’ll put this series as the best series since ’05 because of those dramatic moments, like Woakes and like Rishabh Pant.” India vs England drama-packed Rothesay Series The five-match Test series began with India’s Rishabh Pant delivering twin centuries, even as England chased one of their highest totals in Test history. India, however, bounced back at Edgbaston, showing resilience. At Lord’s, Ravindra Jadeja’s determined innings nearly clinched victory for India, but England eked out a narrow 22-run win. Trailing in the series, India faced adversity when Pant fractured his toe. Demonstrating grit, he returned to score a crucial half-century, helping India secure a draw. The stage was set for a decider at The Oval, where India excelled with a bowling masterclass, taking six wickets for 35 runs to rattle England’s lineup. Notably, England triumphed 2-1 in the 2005 Ashes, echoing past rivalries while confirming that, in Atherton’s view, no recent series surpasses the 2005 Ashes in historical significance and quality.