Kevin Pietersen will return from international exile for England's tour of India, the England and Wales Cricket Board have confirmed.

The 32 year old has been absent from the international set-up after being dropped for the third test against South Africa in the summer, after being found to have exchanged test messages with members of The Proteas squad concerning then skipper Andrew Strauss.

Pietersen was then omitted from the T20 World Cup squad and the original 16-man party for the four-match test series to India before the ECB confirmed a reintegration process, involving meetings between him, captain Alastair Cook and other members of the team would take place to assess the suitable timing for his return.

Kevin Pietersen
Pietersen will join up with the England squad prior to the holding camp in Dubai.

ECB managing director Hugh Morris said: "We were keen that Kevin should hold a series of face-to-face meetings with team management and senior players before the Test squad departs for the UAE and India next week.

"The meetings were constructive and cordial and all outstanding issues have been resolved. All the England players and management are now keen to draw a line under this matter and fully focus on the cricketing challenge that lies ahead in India."

National selector Geoff Miller added: "We are pleased to welcome a player of Kevin's proven international calibre back into the Test squad for such an important series,"

"As we anticipate that Ian Bell will return home for the birth of his first child around the time of the 2nd Test in Mumbai, the team will benefit from having an extra batsman in the squad and all players who were originally selected for the tour will fly out as planned next week.

"Kevin will join up with the squad as soon as his Champions League commitments are complete."

The Surrey batsman was said to have met with a number of teammates, as well as ECB officials and Cook to help calm relations, with his relationship with the likes of Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad under screwtiny.

Regarded as one of the finest English cricketers in the modern era, Pietersen will re-join the squad upon the conclusion of his Champions League commitments with the Delhi Daredevils.

The touring squad are set for a three-day holding camp in Dubai from the 26-28 October before their opening test match on 15 November against India in Ahmedabad.

Dubai India South Africa