ENGLAND paceman Chris Tremlett has rubbished the theory that India's 'fab four' are over the hill ahead of tomorrow's second npower Test at Trent Bridge.

Skipper Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman have formed the bedrock of the Indian batting order for several years.

They looked surprisingly vulnerable in the first Test at Lord's against England's new look attack of debutant Tremlett, the recalled Jimmy Anderson and Ryan Sidebottom.

Only bad light and rain after tea on the final day denied England victory with India nine wickets down.

But Tremlett, who impressed with four wickets during his first Test including three for 52 in the second innings, is refusing to write off Dravid and Co although he pledged England would again be "in their faces."

He said: "We have to make sure we've got that aggressive intent. The Indian guys might have a bit of a reputation for not liking the ball swinging and nipping around as much as other teams.

"As a group in the first Test we were very aggressive and worked together as a team. We did get in their faces. We didn't make them feel comfortable. We built the pressure on their batsmen by being aggressive and also very patient with the bowling.

"But it would be stupid to say their leading batsmen are in decline. They are obviously great players. They didn't score many at Lord's but it would be stupid to say they are losing their touch.

"I played in the England Lions game against India and Sachin made a hundred and he looked class. He still looks a very good player.

"Dravid is a great player. I got him out in the second innings at Lord's which was great for me. But I don't think they are losing it.

"Conditions were quite hard for batting and the ball swung around. You can't say it is down to them losing their touch. We will see how it goes in the series."

Statistics suggest Tremlett is wise not to write off the Indian quartet who took control of England after a poor start on their last visit for a Test series in 2002.

On that occasion they mustered only 259 between them at Lord's but amassed 1,294 from the remaining three Tests with the aid of five hundreds and five fiftys.

Tremlett is hoping to stake a claim to become an England regular after Matthew Hoggard's back spasm and Steve Harmison's hernia operation presented him with an opportunity.

He said: "There is a lot of good young talent out there and I think I've been recognised as one of them now. It was great to get an opportunity, to play in my first Test and I was very honoured.

"Hopefully the selectors have seen me play now and people have seen I can cope with that sort of pressure. It's only one game. To be a good Test cricketer, you've got to do that consistently.

"The guys who have been playing have done that for a long time. I've only played one game. Hopefully I will get to play a few more Test and get a consistent run."

India will check on the fitness of Ganguly who was unable to participate in the indoor nets at the National Academy at Loughborough yesterday because of a stiff back.

He had looked in discomfort during the second innings at Lord's and, if he is ruled out, Yuvraj Singh is set to replace the 34-year-old.

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