England's test squad and its support staff flew into the southern Indian city of Chennai on two flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Police commandos and gun-wielding security staff cordoned off the airport's arrival lounge ahead of the team's arrival. The bus ferrying the players to the team hotel was protected by heavy security, including a police escort and a vehicle with a mounted gun.
England's return became possible after the Indian cricket board revised the itinerary and picked two new venues that were cleared by Reg Dickason, a security consultant sent to inspect the venues by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Chennai police will use 5000 security personnel, including 300 commandos, to provide security cover for the cricket teams. P. Balasubramaniam, joint commissioner of Chennai Police, said Monday the security cover will encompass the team hotel, stadium and the route on which the teams will travel to the ground.
One thousand policemen will work to guard the hotel for a week before the England and Indian cricketers leave for Mohali on December 16. Another 2,000 will be on duty at the Chidambaram Stadium.
England is returning to India with a 15-member squad that includes pace bowler Amjad Khan and spinner Adil Rashid, who were called up Sunday.
Before the team's departure from Abu Dhabi, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff said the decision by the players to return was not made lightly.
"It's been a difficult last three days," Flintoff said.
The players discussed the trip late into Sunday night after an extensive briefing by security experts. Flintoff and pace bowler Steve Harmison reportedly had reservations about resuming the tour, but Flintoff stressed Monday that it was a collective decision to return.
"Throughout, everyone has voiced their opinion, whether they be junior or senior players. Everyone has decided to go, so to say it was just about the senior players would be wrong. We have decided to go as a team," Flintoff said.
England practiced over the weekend in the UAE capital, along with the members of their performance squad of fringe players.
"When we have been practicing out on the field, batting and bowling, the intensity has been fine," Flintoff said. "But when people are on their own, and with time to think, the mood has been different."
Hugh Morris, the managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board, and Sean Morris, the chief executive of the Professional Players Association, updated the players on the security situation in Chennai, the venue for the first test set to begin Thursday.
Dickason checked the security arrangements in Chennai. He is scheduled to visit the northern venue of Mohali on Wednesday.
"There are a lot of characters in that dressing room and quite rightly they challenged the reports but Reg was able to give them the assurances they needed," Sean Morris said.
"Given the situation, it is understandable that there will be questions. We tried to be honest and truthful with the players," Hugh Morris said. "I applaud the brave and commendable decision by the players to go ahead and show their support to India in this times of distress."
