Rahane is not fazed by key duo’s bad form

India insist they retain full faith in out-of-form batsmen Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara.

If selected for the first Specsavers Test at Edgbaston tomorow, opener Dhawan will take guard after two ducks in India’s only warm-up match at Essex. Pujara has an average of only 14.33 from 12 innings in the County Championship with Yorkshire.

Fellow batsman Ajinkya Rahane is not admitting to any undue concerns about either, however. He said: “We are not worried at all, because both are really quality batsmen.

“It just takes one good innings to get into your rhythm. We all back them.”

Rahane, who first toured England in 2011 with India’s white-ball team and returned four years ago in all three formats, is well aware of the adaptability required here.

“Playing in England is always a challenge but if you think about the result you put pressure on yourself,” he added. “This time we just want to express ourselves.

“Personally I enjoy those challenges, playing abroad. You know here in England the ball does a bit, in Australia there’s bounce, again in New Zealand the ball does a bit... I’m really looking forward to this series.”

Rahane’s advice for the collective is to stay true to themselves and make the most of each opportunity.

“As a batting unit, I feel that challenging yourself and backing your own game – rather than copying someone else – is important,” he said.