Ben Stokes and England stars train in Abu Dhabi for India Test tour - in pictures

Five-match series begins in Hyderabad next Thursday

England captain Ben Stokes during a training session at the Abu Dhabi Sports Hub on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, ahead of their upcoming Test tour of India. All images Chris Whiteoak / The National

Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes during a training session in Abu Dhabi

England head coach Brendon McCullum takes the gloves during a training session at the Abu Dhabi Sports Hub

England batsman Joe Root trains in Abu Dhabi

England have decided to have an extended training camp in Abu Dhabi ahead of their five-Test India tour

England's Jonny Bairstow during training in Abu Dhabi

Harry Brook plays a scoop shot during training

England captain Ben Stokes will have his work cut out during the five-match Test tour of India which begins next week

Ben Foakes warms up while Harry Brook sorts his grip during a training session in Abu Dhabi

England spinner Shoaib Bashir trains for what will be his first major tour

Spinner Rehan Ahmed prepares for the Test tour of India

Ollie Pope during a training session at the Abu Dhabi Sports Hub

Seam bowler Ollie Robinson bowls during training

England's Test team are being put through the paces as they prepare for a grueling Test tour of India.

Ben Stokes' team have opted to hold an extended training camp at the Abu Dhabi Sports Hub at Zayed Cricket Stadium at the expense of any warm-up matches in India. England will land in Hyderabad just three days prior to the first Test which begins next Thursday.

Batsman Ben Duckett insists England will be well prepared for their Test series in India.

"There's training every day and we're hitting thousands of balls, with the bowlers bowling to us," he told the Sky Sports Cricket podcast.

"There probably is loads of spinners in India but none of them are [Ravindra] Jadeja, Axar Patel and [Ravichandran] Ashwin. You might face a 15-year-old off-spinner in the nets but that's not really going to equip you for the first Test match.

"We've got quite a big squad with us and there will be hours of training every day. In India you are pretty hotel-bound, the luxury of being in Abu Dhabi is you can get out and about for an extra 10 days.

"India can be a really tough place to tour, everyone knows that. The mental side of the game is just as important and I don't think there's too many complaints from that squad who are having 10 days in Abu Dhabi rather than 10 days stuck in a hotel."

To see pictures of the England team in training in Abu Dhabi, scroll through the gallery at the top of the page.