India vs England: Ben Stokes Hits Back at Steve Harmison Over Lack Of Preparation Comments

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England Test captain Ben Stokes hit back at former pacer Steven Harmison for being critical about the Three Lions' preparation for the upcoming tour of India. Stokes retaliated by saying that there was no stone left unturned by his side.

The five-match Test series between India and England will kick off on January 25 next year in Hyderabad. Steve Harmison wasn't pleased with the fact that England are reaching India three days before the first Test.

However, Stokes said the team is preparing in Abu Dhabi in a week-long training camp in the United Arab Emirates, but no warm-up games are planned. Ben Stokes said on Sky Sports, "Good job we are going to Abu Dhabi for a training camp before we go to India for even more training before that first Test then, is not it?"

Earlier Steve Harmison had said to talkSPORT: "If England go in three days before, they deserve to get beat 5-0, they really do. I am an old man; that is what they will say. Times have changed, but preparation hasn't changed. I love this new approach. I love Ben Stokes and [head coach] Brendon McCullum. But I am sorry, going three days before... You would never do that for an Ashes series."

"You would never go to Australia three days before the Gabba, so why go three days before Hyderabad? For me, it stinks, it absolutely stinks," concluded the former pacer.

England's previous visit of India ended in a 3-1 loss in Test matches in 2021 as England batters played on spinning surfaces. Stokes, who had surgery on his left knee at the end of November, is also rushing to be totally fit for the opening match.

Although England does not anticipate Stokes to bowl throughout the series, having him fully healthy will undoubtedly benefit them since the all-rounder has oftentimes performed admirably for the Three Lions at bat.

England Test squad: Ben Stokes (c), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes, Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root and Mark Wood