Personal chef to accompany England team for crucial India tour

The England cricket team are all set to embark on a significant journey as they gear up for a demanding five-Test tour of India. In a bid to safeguard their players' health and well-being, the management has taken a rather unprecedented step. The English squad will be accompanied by their own chef during the tour of the subcontinent, starting with their arrival in Hyderabad before the 1st Test scheduled from January 25th.

This move comes in the wake of previous experiences in Pakistan, where despite having a chef on board during their historic tour in December 2022, some members of the English contingent fell ill just before the opening Test in Rawalpindi. The decision-makers within the team have emphasised the importance of ensuring nutritious meals and have requested a focus on less spicy food, although they have expressed trust in the hosts to provide clean facilities.

Omar Meziane, known for his culinary expertise with the English football club Manchester United, is the appointed chef set to travel with the national cricket team. The coach, Brendon McCullum, has reportedly given his approval for this initiative, which will be financially covered by the ECB. Notably, while it's commonplace for football and rugby teams to have their own chef during overseas tours, this move will mark a pioneering step for cricket, with England leading the way.

Ben Stokes is undefeated as captain in Tests

This series will hold significant importance, especially for Ben Stokes, who is yet to face a series defeat as captain since taking over from Joe Root in May 2022. England's recent outings in India have been challenging as they have faced defeats of 4-0 and 3-1. However, they were also the last team to clinch a series victory on Indian soil, back in 2012 under the leadership of Alastair Cook.

Having recently concluded a gripping five-Test Ashes series against Australia that ended in a 2-2 draw, the tourists retained the coveted urn, given their status as its original holders under Pat Cummins' captaincy. The anticipation is high as England prepare to take on the challenges of the Indian subcontinent, as they will eye for a turnaround from their recent history in the region.