England head coach Chris Silverwood has admitted it was nice to see Ashes rivals Australia feeling the heat.

Silverwood and his team took time out from plotting another victory over Sri Lanka to watch Australia's historic defeat by India at the Gabba on Tuesday.

India became the first team since 1988 to win a Test against Australia at the Brisbane fortress.

The 2-1 series defeat has led to serious questions over Tim Paine's captaincy and, although Silverwood declined to weigh in on that matter, he said anything that helps England perform their own smash-and-grab in Australia is a good thing.

"I thought it was brilliant. It's nothing to do with me, Tim Paine's captaincy, but it's always nice to see people in opposition teams under pressure," he said.

"It shows that if you do the basics well and get stuck in we can beat them.

"Our boys back in the hotel were taking an interest and I think most of them appeared for lunch after India had won. So they were all staying and watching."

England and Australia will face off in the eagerly-anticipated clash over the Ashes urn from November.

But before that, England face the challenge of nine consecutive away and home Tests against an India side whose confidence will be through the roof.

"If you look at what we've got in front of us, before we get to the Ashes we have nine Tests against India," Silverwood said.

"What a fantastic way to prepare against very strong opposition."

England's primary focus remains on Friday's clash with Sri Lanka, when they will look to turn an accomplished first Test victory into a 2-0 series sweep.