England coach Duncan Fletcher believes the Nagpur Test is a good opportunity for young players to prove themselves against a side like India.
"It is not the ideal preparation for this Test. But we have to overcome them and give opportunities to other individuals," he told reporters in Nagpur on Tuesday.
With the pitch looking dry and expected to assist spinners, England, under new captain Andrew Flintoff, are looking at playing two spinners in the first Test.
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If he among those two, then left-armer spinner Monty Panesar could become the first Sikh to play for England.
In case England decide to go in with a single spinner, then Ian Blackwell is seen as the favourite for the slot following his good showing in the warm-up matches.
Shaun Udal is the other spinner in the squad.
Fletcher also added that the moral of the team is good.
"You never know what changes could do. Sometimes it can get the side playing a lot closer together. When there are difficult times, you will find that the team is performing much better than when it is easier," he said.
The 57-year-old England coach, who played for Zimbabwe, believes that the team is still capable of upsetting India in their own backyard.
"We had not beaten Australia for a long time till we did so. Similarly, we want to beat India in India and we are pretty confident we can do it," he said.
Kevin Pietersen, who was down with back problems after the warm-up match against the Indian Board President's XI, was declared fit to play the first Test.
Fletcher believes that "Flintoff has the potential to lead the side efficiently".
"What it will do, it might even inspire him more in his efforts as a bowler and batsman," added Fletcher.
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