RAHUL DRAVID (captain, 11/01/73)
India's most consistent batsman throughout his illustrious career. Notoriously difficult to dislodge at the crease and scores runs as though they are going out of fashion. Captains the side with intelligence.

SACHIN TENDULKAR (24/04/73)
The little maestro has been entertaining crowds for 18 years and his arrival at the crease is always greeted with cheers from the India faithful. Revered in his home country and has the stats to back it up: he is the leading century-maker in Test cricket.

RANADEB BOSE (27/02/79)
Performed admirably in Indian domestic cricket, prompting his call-up to the international side. Led the Bengal attack with accuracy and movement and was finally rewarded.

MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI (07/07/81)
The explosive wicket-keeper batsman delights spectators with a vast array of shots. In the Adam Gilchrist mould of wicketkeepers who can hit the ball a long way. When it comes off he can be brilliant and destructive.

GAUTAM GAMBHIR (14/10/81)
Given another chance as an opener after being left out in the cold and having a frustrating career in which he has been in and out of the side. Has genuine class but has been unable to transfer it to the biggest stage.

SOURAV GANGULY (08/07/72)
The former captain is back to doing what he does best - bullying opposition attacks with aggressive strokeplay. Dropped from the India side at the start of Greg Chappell's tenure and replaced by Rahul Dravid as captain, but his experience as a batsman proved vital and he was recalled against South Africa in 2006.

WASIM JAFFER (16/02/78)
The tall opening batsman has a liking for English conditions, having scored an unbeaten double hundred at Edgbaston for India A in 2003. Scored his maiden Test century in 2006 after three years plying his trade on the Indian domestic circuit.

DINESH KARTHIK (01/06/85)
The second wicket-keeper in the squad is worth his place in the team as a
batsman alone and has been filling that role since the end of 2006. He scored his maiden Test century, opening the innings, in the second Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka in May.

ZAHEER KHAN (07/10/78)
The most senior member of India's pace attack and has plenty of experience in English conditions after playing for Worcestershire in county cricket. Will have a lot of expectation on his shoulders, with his ability to swing the ball a valuable asset.

ANIL KUMBLE (17/10/70)
The veteran leg-spinner is still able to bamboozle world-class batsmen and
adds some useful experience to what is mostly a young bowling attack. Was the first India spinner to reach 300 Test wickets, with his gangly, loopy action.

VVS LAXMAN (01/11/74)
Discarded in favour of youth when Greg Chappell took over the coaching role, but has been recalled for the tour of England. Still not assured of his place in the final XI, with several batsmen in the running for one spot.

RAMESH POWAR (20/05/78)
Preferred to Harbhajan Singh in a shock decision by India. More than useful with both ball and bat, which may have prompted the selectors' decision. Though not your typical-looking athletic cricketer, he is still mightily effective.

RUDRA PRATAP SINGH (06/12/85)
The lanky seamer has already tasted English conditions this season, playing for Leicestershire before being called up to the India squad for the tour of Bangladesh and subsequently England. Man of the match on his Test debut against Pakistan in Faisalabad.

ISHANT SHARMA (02/09/88)
Rangy fast bowler capable of hurrying the batsman, although there are concerns that his far from substantial frame may not stand up to the rigours of international cricket. Unlikely to be anything more than a back-up seamer in England.

SRI SREESANTH (06/02/83)
Burst on to the international scene against England in 2005, taking 6-55 and recording the best figures for an Indian seamer at home. He has rarely looked back since and is India's second best seamer behind Zaheer Khan. Seems to have limitless energy.

YUVRAJ SINGH (12/12/81)
Finally established a regular spot in the side and has been improving rapidly in the last couple of years. Becoming a world-class all-rounder, something which India have lacked in recent times, having tempered his natural flare with a solid defensive technique and sound cricket brain.

• Ajit Agarkar, Piyush Chawla, Munaf Patel, Robin Uthappa and Rohit Sharma were added to the party for the one-day leg of the tour, while Anil Kumble, VVS Laxman, Sri Sreesanth, Wasim Jaffer, Ranadeb Bose and Ishant Sharma made way.