Mumbai, October 29: England Test skipper, Alastair Cook, addressed the media on Monday ahead of their tour game here. While speaking on the occasion, the 27-year-old highlighted the challenges his team is likely to face in the subcontinent.

"This is undoubtedly a huge challenge for us," Cook said of the tour. "History suggests it is hard to win in India. After all, we have not won a series here in almost 30 years.”

While England have not won a Test series in India since 1985, Cook is confident his team has what it takes to rewrite history and is keen to take on the hosts in the four-match series. "We have a great squad determined to do well. We are aware of the challenges and look forward to the series,” Cook said. "It is going to be a huge series because it is between two very good sides. Both sides have world-class players and whoever handles the conditions better will win."

Cook also spoke fondly of his past experiences of playing in Indian conditions. After all, it was in Nagpur back in 2006, where the dashing opener earned his first Test cap and made quite an impression with the bat.

"I have some very good memories of India. It is a great place to play cricket and there is a lot of passion for the game here," Cook said. "I look forward to doing well here, but all of us will have to contribute with bat and ball if we are going to win."

Before the Test series kicks off at Ahmadabad on November 15, Cook and co will beat playing three warm-up games, including two in Mumbai and one in Ahmadabad at Motera.

"There is no better way to prepare than win these matches. They are not merely warm-up games, they are first-class matches. We need to get used to the conditions as early as possible," Cook said.