Cook returns to India hoping to build confidence with Giles

England have beaten the 
50-over world champions just once in their last 18 one-day 
internationals in India dating back to 2002, losing the last three away series 5-1, 5-0 and 5-0.

Cook, who was captain for the whitewash in 2011, returned to India last night knowing it is vital that he forms a quick and effective relationship with England’s new limited overs coach Ashley Giles.

Giles has taken over the one-day and Twenty20 reins from Andy Flower, allowing England’s director of cricket to focus on the Test team and the imminent Ashes 
series against Australia.

Cook believes England’s job-share arrangement will have a positive impact on the side as they prepare for a mighty challenge. “This is unknown territory. We haven’t done it before. It is a bit like the three captains. It was new and I thought it worked really well because of the energy the captains brought to their side,” Cook said.

“I can see this working the same way on the coaching side.

“We are going to have to work very hard on the relationship. I am sure as we get used to it the relationship will improve and I have no worries about it working well.”

England begin their tour with two warm-up games, on Sunday and Tuesday, before they face 
India in a five match one-day 
series, starting a week on Friday.

“Every time you start a tour it is a huge challenge,” Cook continued. “When I sat here two-and-a-half months ago I said winning a Test series in India would be a great achievement.

“To do that was a great effort by our whole squad and our whole team.

“Sport moves on very quickly and India in their own backyard as a one-day team is another huge challenge for us as a side.

“We lost there 5-0 last time so it would be a really good measure of us as a side. I think we have a squad capable of doing something very special.”

Cook first knew Giles as a player after he was called into England’s squad in Pakistan in 2005.

“He was a senior citizen of the side when I first went to Pakistan,” Cook said.

“He was really good to me. He was kind of called ‘the Dad’ in one way. He was that gel in the middle of the team, always looking after players.

“He had a very strong relationship with Duncan Fletcher as well and he was the bridge between some of the players and him.

“I assume he will carry on that relationship with players as a coach. He has a fantastic coaching record. Everyone who has worked with him speaks very highly of him. I am really looking forward to our coach and captain relationship growing.”