India braced for cricket fever

Kevin Pietersen's side will play seven One-Day Internationals and two full Tests – in Ahmedabad and Mumbai – in November and December.

The matches will attract full houses and grip the country. "It's going to be very, very big," said Sachin, who says no other sporting event in India has the power to unite the country.

"I have no doubt that all the stadiums are going to be jam-packed. The response from the public will be terrific.

"England are one of the top sides, and it's going to be very competitive. Our team has done well in the recent past and found some consistency, so it will be a wonderful series and something we all look forward to."

The 35-year-old batsman and national hero, who hit the first of his 39 (and counting) Test centuries against England in 1990, is determined to play his part in the series.

Nevertheless, he insists that it's his love of the game – and the passion it creates in his homeland – not the pursuit of records that makes him want to keep playing, nearly 20 years after his Test debut.

"That is the reason for me to walk on the cricket field," he added. "The most important thing is my love for the game. If I feel I am not enjoying it as much, there is no reason for me to be out there in the middle."