Ahmedabad: Despite being on the back-foot, England are confident that they would be able to save the first Test match against India. According to all-rounder Samit Patel, the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Alastair Cook have the capabilities to score big and take England to safety.

"In KP and Cook, we have two world class batsmen at the crease and Bell is still to come," Patel said, adding that both Cook and Pieternsen can score big hundreds.

Speaking about the turn and bounce that R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha were extracting off the pitch, the left-arm spinner attributed it to the new ball. "I think the ball is hard. It spins when it is harder. When it gets soft, it will become easier for Cook and KP.”

In all praise for Cheteshwar Pujara, Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh who helped India score a massive total against England, Patel said, “All credit to the batsmen. Sehwag played an outstanding knock yesterday. Pujara carried on from yesterday and today, Yuvraj played well too. They are good players of spin bowling."

Speaking about the team’s strategy for the coming days, Patel said, “We know what we can do tomorrow. On this wicket, you can wear teams down and that's what they did. It's also something we expected. We were prepared."

Finding no wrong with the wicket, Patel said, "It's a good Test match wicket. I will get slower and lower over the next three days. So, we have to play good cricket."

By Indian Sports News Network