Michael Vaughan slams England's tactic of traveling back to Abu Dhabi midway through the series

England's Ben Stokes-led plan to return to Abu Dhabi during the break between the second and third Tests.

New Delhi: The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team will take on Ben Stokes' England side in the first Test of the five-match series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on January 25. Ahead of the series, the visitors prepared for the red-ball clash in Abu Dhabi instead of practicing in India.

The Three Lions will return to Abu Dhabi again during the break between the second and third Tests to continue their preparations. However, the former England cricketer completely disapproves of this tactic from the English side.

“One thing I don't like is that England seem to be leaving India to return to Abu Dhabi in the break between the second and third Tests. I think this contributes to a rather dated view of touring India that we sometimes have. That used to be more difficult, but now the hotels are beautiful, the food is great and you are looked after like royalty. And yes, there are golf courses,” wrote Michael Vaughan in The Telegraph.

“There is talk of England's preparation taking place largely outside India, in Abu Dhabi, and no warm-up matches included. I don't mind that at all,” the former cricketer added.

England last won a Test series in India 12 years ago, where Alastair Cook captained and spinners Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, along with Kevin Pietersen, played leading roles in the 2-1 win. In the 2021 tour, England had won the opening Test in Chennai but lost the next three matches and lost the series 3-1.

England are yet to lose a Test series under Stokes-McCullum's leadership, but the tour of India will be the toughest challenge of their regime yet. The upcoming series between India and England will begin on January 25 in Hyderabad, followed by other matches in Visakhapatnam (February 2-6), Rajkot (February 15-19), Ranchi (February 23-27) and Dharamshala (March 7-11) . ).