England captain Kevin Pietersen believes it is important England return to India for their rescheduled two-Test series as a show of support following the terror attacks in Mumbai.

And while Pietersen said a final decision on whether they will fly to Chennai will not be made until security reports are received on Sunday, the England captain is hopeful all 15 members of his side will return.

The England team were due to fly to Abu Dhabi on Thursday to train ahead of the two-Test series, due to begin in Chennai on December 11. The second Test is now scheduled for Mohali. The Test squad will be accompanied by nine members of England’s High-Performance Squad.

“Everybody has become a lot more open-minded as to their decision,” said Pietersen, who was flanked at the Heathrow Airport press conference by PCA representative Sean Morris, and ECB managing director Hugh Morris.

“(The players) realise the importance of returning to India, to go back and do what we do best — playing cricket for England. We want to get the opportunity to go back and take a stance. They’ve come home and spoken to family members which has been very important.

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“We want to rub shoulder to shoulder with the Indian people in their time of need. I feel really proud to be captain of such a great bunch of guys.”

Pietersen acknowledged that the opportunity to stop off in the Gulf and gain some crucial practice time ahead of the first Test was key in affirming the decision to return to India on the advice of security expert Reg Dickason.

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