Indian skipper MS Dhoni said Saturday his inexperienced team was ready to take on England in India's first five-Test series there in 55 years.
India last toured England in 2011 but haven't played five tests on English soil since 1959 when the hosts won 5-0.
"For quite a few players it's a first tour of England," Dhoni said at a press conference ahead of the team's departure to England early Sunday.
"But they've had exposure in South Africa and New Zealand and have a few games behind them," the wicketkeeper-batsman said.
Only three players in the 18-member Indian squad have played in England before including Dhoni, opener Gautam Gambhir and paceman Ishant Sharma.
India start their tour with a practice game against Leicestershire on June 26 followed by another warm-up game with Derbyshire.
The first Test starts in Nottingham on July 9 with the remaining matches in London (Lord's and The Oval), Southampton and Manchester.
The Tests will be followed by five one-day matches and a lone Twenty20 international.
Dhoni said the warm-up games would allow the team to get acclimatised.
"It's good we are going early, it will help us get into the groove. It's a long series and it's not very usual (for us) to play a five-Test series," he said.
"Overall, it's looking good. We have got enough time to prepare."
India have not played a five-Test series since losing in the Caribbean in 1997.
As far as his own game was concerned, Dhoni said he would play his "normal attacking game" irrespective of the situation India find themselves in.
"I intend to go for my shots from the first ball. It is very important to back my strength and not think too much about the situation," he said.
England beat hosts India 2-1 when the teams last squared up in a Test series in 2012.
India squad: MS Dhoni (captain); Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron, Ishwar Pandey, Stuart Binny, Wriddhiman Saha, Pankaj Singh.
Follow us on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
Company Profile
Company name: Cargoz
Date started: January 2022
Founders: Premlal Pullisserry and Lijo Antony
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 30
Investment stage: Seed
Company profile
Company: Zywa
Started: 2021
Founders: Nuha Hashem and Alok Kumar
Based: UAE
Industry: FinTech
Funding size: $3m
Company valuation: $30m
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
Off-roading in the UAE: How to checklist
ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
Company profile
Company name: Fasset
Started: 2019
Founders: Mohammad Raafi Hossain, Daniel Ahmed
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $2.45 million
Current number of staff: 86
Investment stage: Pre-series B
Investors: Investcorp, Liberty City Ventures, Fatima Gobi Ventures, Primal Capital, Wealthwell Ventures, FHS Capital, VN2 Capital, local family offices
MORE FROM CON COUGHLIN
RESULT
Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)
Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Specs: 2024 McLaren Artura Spider
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and electric motor
Max power: 700hp at 7,500rpm
Max torque: 720Nm at 2,250rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
0-100km/h: 3.0sec
Top speed: 330kph
Price: From Dh1.14 million ($311,000)
On sale: Now
KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
Director: Wes Ball
Starring: Owen Teague, Freya Allen, Kevin Durand
Rating: 3.5/5