One or both of the novice spinners are set for Test debuts

Giles was not on the plane to Mumbai (Bombay) and could miss all three Tests after a slow recovery from hip surgery.

Panesar, 23, and Blackwell, 27, have not played Tests but Fletcher says they are the best England can offer.

"It is asking a lot to send them in against India and players who play spin-bowling very well," he said.

But he also told BBC Five Live's Sportsweek: "They are capable, they bowled well during the last English summer."

If we haven't anyone good enough, then don't pick them! From Steve Have your say on TMS

Fletcher feels they were the only options available to England's selectors once they knew Giles was struggling to recover from the operation he had in December after coming home early from the Pakistan tour.

He added: "Ashley Giles is going to be a huge loss. We need a left-arm spinner and those two are the next best in the country.

"For some time [finding] spinners has been a problem."

Panesar of Northants and Somerset captain Blackwell will accompany 36-year-old Hampshire off-spinner Shaun Udal on tour.

Udal played in all three Tests in Pakistan, taking three wickets at 92 runs apiece.

Indian right-handers Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag are all superb players of spin bowling.

Monty looks like he has a lot of ability to spin the ball and get flight and guile Michael Vaughan

But captain Michael Vaughan gave a more upbeat assessment of England's three spinners.

Speaking from Heathrow as England prepared to board their flight to Mumbai (Bombay), he said: "Ashley will be dearly missed, he's our experienced spin bowler in playing conditions which suit the spinners.

"But it creates an opportunity for Ian, Monty and Shaun to step up and make selection difficult for when Ashley comes back.

"Players have missed out in the last couple of years and others have come in so who's to say Ian, Monty and Shaun can't do the same?

"It's inevitable when you go to India that spin is going to play a big part. We haven't seen that much of Monty, I've seen him in the nets at Loughborough and he's exciting. He seems to have a bit about him and is a real good character.

"We know a little bit more about Ian because he's been with us in the one-day team. When new players come into the team it's exciting because you want to know how they react to the situation.