Kevin Pietersen has identified Anil Kumble as India's main bowling threat ahead of the Test series which begins at Lord's on Thursday.

England will play three Tests against India before a demanding seven-game one-day NatWest Series gets under way in August and concludes in the first week of September.

Hampshire ace Pietersen will be looking to improve on his recent form which got steadily worse against West Indies before he managed just 42 in three innings in the ODIs.

The South Africa-born player blamed fatigue for his decline over the summer and called for more time off before the India series.

Now, however, the 27-year-old is looking forward to taking on the tourists and admits England face a difficult task against a side packed with top quality.

"(It will be) very hard," said Pietersen. "They've got some amazing players like (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Rahul) Dravid and (VVS) Laxman and a fantastic spin bowler in Anil Kumble among their ranks".

Pietersen admits Kumble is the bowler who will be the biggest obstacle to English success.

The 36-year-old became the first Indian bowler to claim 500 Test wickets when he dismissed Steve Harmison in March 2006 and is currently the fourth most successful wicket-taker in history with 552, just 11 behind retired Australian Glenn McGrath.

When asked if he thought Kumble would constitute the main threat, Pietersen said: "Probably, yes, because towards the end of the summer tracks generally spin and he's been successful all the way around the world, so he'll be a big, big man for them.

"I've got an okay record against Anil - I've enjoyed playing against him because it's a great challenge and challenging myself against the best players in the world is something I thrive on".

Pietersen admits he would like to do more bowling having so far claimed just one Test wicket - that of Pakistan's Kamran Akmal last summer - as well as a sole ODI dismissal, India's Harbhajan Singh, who has not been selected for the forthcoming tour.

Pietersen continued: "It's something I enjoy - whenever I get the opportunity to turn my arm over I try to grab it and get a couple of wickets if I can.

"I haven't taken a wicket for a while but when I do get one, I try and enjoy the moment."

Pietersen also insists he is completely focused on his batting despite the atmosphere created by the likes of the 'Barmy Army'.

"We definitely thrive on the good atmospheres - we're lucky enough to play in front of big audiences," he said.

"We know about the atmosphere, but when I'm batting, I totally focus on what I'm doing. You appreciate it, but you still focus".