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Steve Harmison. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)

After the appointment of Ben Stokes as captain and Brendon McCullum as the head coach of the England Test team, they changed their approach in red-ball cricket and started playing an aggressive brand of cricket. Courtesy of the same, the Three Lions have been extremely successful in the longest format but it won’t be easy for them in the upcoming India tour, which is slated to begin on January 25 in Hyderabad. 

The Ben Stokes-led side is yet to be tested in spin-friendly conditions and as per former cricketer Steve Harmison, the team will make a mistake if they land in India just three days before the opening Test. As per reports, England will train in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before reaching India on the night of 21st January or the morning of January 22. Harmison mentioned that the team cannot go into the first Test unprepared and added that the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss would laugh at the current team for going to India so late.

“If England go in 3 days before, they deserve to get beat 5-0. They really do. I’m an old man, that is what they are going to say, the times have changed, the game has changed, but I tell you, preparation has not changed. You can’t go into India underprepared. In fact, you cannot go India overprepared as well, you can be in India for six weeks before and still not be prepared for that first Test,” Harmison said while talking to TalkSport.

“I would love to know what Pietersen, Strauss, Cook, in that great side, the only side that has won there in 2012, what they would think when they hear that England will go to India like three days before the series. I think they would laugh at you,” the 45-year-old added.

Harmison further mentioned that it’s not the new world in which the visiting team arrive late but it’s the players who have played a huge role in England arriving late in India.