Interview: England's Andrew Flintoff
England's Andrew Flintoff insists the decision to resume the two-Test tour in India was made by the whole team rather than senior individuals in the side.
After receiving safety assurances at the weekend, the full-strength squad is set to fly to Chennai ahead of the first Test, which starts on Thursday.
After the more established players were praised for their role, Flintoff said: "We have decided to go as a team.
"Everyone decided to go. To say it was just senior players would be wrong."
England, whose one-day series in India was cut short after the 26 November attacks in Mumbai, have spent three days at a Sheikh Zayed Stadium training camp in Abu Dhabi in preparation for the two-Test series.
England and Wales Cricket Board managing director Hugh Morris described the team's decision as "brave and courageous" but Flintoff, one of the players to show reservations about returning, said the last three days had been "difficult".
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"Throughout, everyone has voiced their opinion, whether they be junior or senior players," he added, after being identified as a doubter, along with his friend Steve Harmison.
"When we have been practising out on the field, batting and bowling, the intensity has been fine.
"But when people are on their own, and with time to think, the mood has been different."
England's cricketers face a stern task in the coming weeks, facing an India side who have recently beaten Australia in a Test series as well as trying to put aside the attacks in Mumbai.
Flintoff added: "If you win anything in India I think you are doing well, particularly with the way they played in the one-dayers and the way they played against Australia.
"We have now got two Test matches to show what we can do."
England will have limited preparation for the match in the southern Indian city.
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