Dravid celebrates the controversial dismissal of Pietersen

"It's a very good surface - we're pretty confident, we should be able to chase whatever they set us," he said.

England's hopes now rest with Andrew Flintoff and Geraint Jones and Dravid added: "The partnership is key, if we break it early we have a good chance."

He paid tribute to Anil Kumble, who has eight wickets in the match, saying: "He showed tremendous commitment."

Mohali scorecard

England's Ian Bell, who fell to Kumble just before stumps for 57, refused to be downcast even though rookie bowler Liam Plunkett will start the final day padded up as the next man due in.

Bell said: "If we can go out there and have a good hour - if we can get 150, 160, you never know.

It's bitterly disappointing to get out with five minutes to go Ian Bell

"If you face these guys for an hour or so it starts to get easier.

"As soon as Anil started to bowl from this end [the City End] he hit his lines and lengths and it started to spit a little bit.

"But hopefully the guys can go out there and just keep fighting."

His own dismissal came just as he and Andrew Flintoff had laid the groundwork for a rearguard on Monday.

Bell reflected: "It's bitterly disappointing and quite gutting to get out with five minutes to go after doing the hard work."