India, June 18 -- Former England spinner Graeme Swann has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of the blockbuster five-Test series against India, but is also drawing fan ire for urging Ben Stokes' men to spark momentum against Shubman Gill's men ahead of the Ashes later this year in Australia.

The five-match series, which begins at Headingley on June 20, will be England's first Test assignment since finishing a disappointing fifth in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle. Despite their aggressive 'Bazball' approach, England managed only 10 wins from 22 matches, suffering 11 defeats and drawing one.

While India are without the services of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, they can hardly be considered underdogs. The side boasts of an impressiv...