It's a dream for me to play in India, says Samit Patel

Samit Patel's rapid rise to international all-rounder will reach a new high point tomorrow when he steps off the plane in Mumbai as an England cricketer.

"Going to India to play for my country is a dream come true," said Patel, who was born in Leicester 24 years ago. "And it is a dream come true for my parents."

Patel's mother and father, Rohit and Sejal, are both from Gujarat and lived not far from Rajkot, venue for England's first one-day international on Friday week - and the couple will fly to India to watch the seven-match series.

"I've never played in India," said the batsman-spinner. "It is one of the greatest cricketing experiences and I cannot wait."

Two months ago, Patel was dismissed for a first-ball duck while playing for England's second team against South Africa.

Despite that inauspicious start, new captain Kevin Pietersen handed him his first one-day international cap - in Scotland - a week later and he has now appeared in all nine limited-overs matches during Pietersen's reign.

England's 15-man squad leave London this evening and face the first of two warm-up games in Mumbai this weekend.