The England skipper, who had led his team to a Test series triumph in India after 28 years at the end of 2012, said the team was lacking a bit in experience due to injuries to key members.
"We have got an inexperienced side, a few experienced players missing through injuries and rotational policy. It's quite similar to probably the squad that we had last time. So, it will be a real big test to us as players and real good test to these guys who have been around now a bit in international scene to try and step up."
The visitors lost both their warm-up games ahead of the series to India 'A' and Delhi and Cook admitted it was not the kind of start they had wished before the series.
"Yeah, I know it’s not an ideal start. I missed the first game and in the second game, it was apparent that we improved from the last game. I didn't see the first game and second game I think we improved a lot.
"For us to win, I think, it showed the challenge we are going to have in our hands. Our skill levels will need to improve a lot. Yeah, it's going to be hell of a challenge like the Test series in a way. We have to do something that no English has done for a while," said the left-handed opener. England last won an ODI series in India in 1984-85.