England’s thrilling chase against India in the first Test didn’t just put them 1-0 up in the five-match series — it also gave former captain Michael Vaughan the confidence to say something bold:
England already know most of the players they’ll send to Australia for the Ashes.
For fans wondering how this win fits into the bigger picture, Vaughan believes it’s more than just a great result.
It’s a sign of a team taking shape — one with the potential to challenge Australia on their home turf.
Vaughan Says England’s Core Ashes Line-Up Is Locked In
Speaking on The Overlap podcast with Betfair, Vaughan pointed out how England’s current top seven is starting to resemble the settled, confident side that famously won the Ashes in 2010-11.
“That top seven should be the ones walking out in Perth come November,” Vaughan said.
“It reminds me of that rock-solid line-up we had with Strauss, Cook, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell, and Prior.
This side is heading down under with experience and belief — that counts for a lot.”
According to Vaughan, this kind of stability gives England a real chance.
He’s even hearing chatter from Australia, where some fans are beginning to take England seriously again.
“They’re not calling us favourites,” he added, “but there’s definitely a sense that this side can challenge the Aussies at home.”
Duckett Shines as England Chase Down India’s Big Target
At the centre of England’s win was opener Ben Duckett, who dazzled with a stunning 149 in the second innings at Headingley.
His knock laid the foundation for England to chase down India’s challenging target of 371.
Vaughan was full of praise for Duckett, saying: “He was the best decision made at the start of the Bazball era.
He’s not just a Test star — he’s a true all-format player.
You look at guys like Travis Head and Aiden Markram, but Duckett does it all, across Tests, T20s, and ODIs.”
Tufnell Compares Duckett to Aussie Great Matthew Hayden
Meanwhile, former spinner Phil Tufnell couldn’t help but compare Duckett’s style to a familiar Aussie powerhouse. “He’s like a mini Matthew Hayden,” Tufnell joked.
“There’s been all this talk about Bazball being ‘crash, bang, wallop’, but Duckett actually left the first two balls of the day — that’s growth. Then he went bang, bang, bang.”
It’s clear that Duckett’s innings wasn’t just about flair — it was about maturity.
And for a side building toward something bigger, that’s exactly what England need at the top of the order.
India Still Adjusting to Life Under New Captain Shubman Gill
While England seem to be finding their rhythm, India are in a very different place.
New skipper Shubman Gill is still settling into his leadership role, and according to Sir Alastair Cook, that transition has been anything but smooth.
“Every new captain goes through this adjustment period,” Cook explained.
“Even Ben Stokes needed time to get the team fully behind his vision. With India, it’s clear they’re still figuring it out.”
One of the biggest red flags for Cook? The way India are using the Decision Review System (DRS).
“There was so much hesitation and panic,” he said. “You could see the team trying to help Gill — not to undermine him, but because they’re unsure.
Eight people talking at once, and he just looked like he didn’t know what to do.”
All Eyes on Edgbaston for the Crucial Second Test
With England riding high and India searching for answers, the second Test at Edgbaston, starting Wednesday July 6, could be a pivotal moment in the series.
If England pull off another win, they’ll take a dominant 2-0 lead — and further cement the belief that this is a team ready for something special, not just in this series but in the Ashes too.