Stuart Broad insists England are anything but a depressed side after former star batsman Kevin Pietersen’s suggestion of an underlying current of unhappiness in the dressing room following recent defeats.

Despite being England’s all-time leading run-scorer across all formats, Pietersen was cast into international exile following the 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

That meant the former captain didn’t feature in England’s recent 1-0 home defeat by Sri Lanka in a two-Test campaign.

Afterwards, Pietersen – along with Geoffrey Boycott and Shane Warne – criticised various aspects of England captain Alastair Cook’s leadership.

But paceman Broad said on Tuesday the environment within the England camp had improved since Pietersen’s departure.

He added the atmosphere created by Cook and recalled coach Peter Moores would benefit the side come next week’s first of a five-Test series with India at Trent Bridge.

“The environment that Cooky and Peter Moores are developing is strong and you can see that from the performances of the young guys coming in,” said Broad in London.

“When your environment is off – people in Australia were maybe mentioning that – young players can come in and be overawed by senior players and that sort of thing and it is quite hard to perform.

“Instead, we’ve had Sam Robson come in and score a hundred, Gary Ballance score a hundred, Liam Plunkett take nine wickets, Moeen Ali score a hundred – so that shows the guys coming into the set-up feel relaxed and like they can play.”

India haven’t won an away Test since June 2011, a run stretching to 14 matches.

Former Indian player Ravi Shastri said the bowling of the tourists, belted 4-0 in England in 2011, would be key this time.

“They have a woeful away record and it is because of their bowling.

“The thing for me is that India need to get five bowlers in play and, if they do that, then we will have a competitive series,” added Shastri, a member of the 1986 Indian side who won a Test series in England.

“What would really help is the pitches. If they are dry, then the spinners will come into play.”

India’s longstanding objection to the current Decision Review System (DRS) means that for the upcoming Test series, on-field umpires will decide when to call for replay assistance, with both teams unable to challenge.