India skipper Rahul Dravid endured a disappointing day

If, as expected, England declare overnight, the hosts will require an unlikely 368 for victory.

Kaif said: "We have some good experienced players, and we just need to go out there and bat well."

But the batsman confessed poor fielding had contributed to India's predicament on day three. "Dropped catches don't help. We didn't field well," he said.

"Kevin Pietersen's knock was really crucial. He got the momentum going for them. If we had taken that catch, it might have changed the match," said Kaif, referring to the caught-and-bowled appeal against Pietersen which was turned down by the third umpire.

Kaif had generous praise for England's performance, after the injury-hit tourists had battled back from a seemingly shaky 246-7 after the first day.

"It was you guys [the media] who wrote all that, about this player being missing and that player being missing," he claimed.

"They're a professional side, a good side, and it makes no difference to us in the team who we're playing against.

Pietersen's knock was really crucial. He got the momentum going for them. Mohammad Kaif, India

"They've played well so far. They batted well to get nearly 400, and then bowled well, to a good line and length."

And Kaif reserved particular praise for England debutants Monty Panesar and century-maker Alastair Cook.

Referring to Cook he said: "To come to India and get a hundred in your first Test, full credit to him."