Kevin Pietersen backs his bowlers to deliver against India

Ryan Sidebottom's absence notwithstanding, England captain Kevin Pietersen believes his bowling attack is capable of delivering the goods against the strong Indian batting line-up in the first of seven One-Day Internationals here on Friday.

"This is the most stable attack, since Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff have come back into the team. Then, we have (Stuart) Broad, (James) Anderson and Samit Patel who have been bowling brilliantly," Pietersen said.

"I think our bowling has been the best in the last month or so and if we can bat well, it will be a good match," he said ahead of the first one-dayer at the Madhavrao Scindia ground here.

He also justified the inclusion of Ravi Bopara in the playing XI ahead of Luke Wright.

"It's unfortunate for Luke because he's done nothing wrong to be honest but Ravi Bopara is better on these wickets," he said.

The gangling batsman also hoped that the return of seniors like Flintoff and Harmison would lend the side the necessary experience in the upcoming battles.

"Our senior players Freddie and Steve have come back and they are very experienced campaigners with 10 years of international cricket behind them. (Paul) Collingwood too has been around for a while and there a few youngsters who are being talked about in terms of delegating responsibilities.

"The team is raring to go and that's been our recipe for success. Like we have been against South Africa, the guys have been fantastic here, they've taken on this really really well so it's nice for me as a captain," he said.

The South Africa-born batsman, who took over captaincy during the last English summer against his country of birth, feels that India play a tough brand of cricket with a lot of passion and pride.

"I just think that India plays cricket tough. We, Australia and South Africa also play it tough. I just think the nations are playing with pride and passion, which is fantastic," he said.

According to Pietersen, it would be a challenge for his team members to rise to the occasion in tough conditions in front of a cricket-crazy nation.