Kevin Pietersen has already provided one series-deciding contribution in his short Test career - but it will need something as monumental to stave off defeat in India.

Pietersen, aged 25, was centre stage when England regained the Ashes last September with a maiden century which defied Australia's sustained search for victory at The Oval.

That innings of 158, which included 15 fours and seven sixes, came in the most tense of match circumstances and cemented Pietersen's place in the most successful England team of the modern era.

Yet without an extraordinary performance against the odds in the third and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium starting on Saturday, England will have lost two consecutive series in this part of the world and extend their barren run to seven matches.

Such a scenario would dilute some of the impetus of that 2-1 win over Ricky Ponting's men in a glorious 2005.

Although injuries and family matters have conspired against the tourists, including the loss of captain Michael Vaughan, Marcus Tresco-thick, Simon Jones and Ashley Giles, they would nevertheless slip to third in the Test rankings should India protect or build on the lead they obtained in Mohali last week.

Pietersen said: "The boys did so well against Australia and that can never be taken away, everything we went through was as tough as it gets in world cricket.

"A fully-fit English team has proved it can beat any team in the world but unfortunately with injuries - as can happen in any sport - we have suffered.

"As soon as the England team comes together as a full unit again we know we can beat the best in the world - we have that belief in ourselves.

"But this has given other players an opportunity which is good and they have made use of it which is good for English cricket.

"We go into this Test match knowing we have to win the game; we are a positive team, we are a challenging team and a confident team and we know we have got a big job ahead of us."

Youngsters Alastair Cook and Monty Panesar have impressed in a reshuffled side in which Pietersen bats one place higher than his accustomed position of number five.

He has threatened to score a third Test century on a couple of occasions, reaching 87 in the second innings in Nagpur and 64 in Mohali, being dismissed by making attacking strokes on both occasions.

Another aggressive stroke cost him in the first innings of the series while his reaction to his latest dismissal, despite being unfortunate, earned a rebuke and a fine worth 30 per cent of his match fee.

"Instinct plays a big part in the way I play," Pietersen said. "I have been pretty successful in my career so far playing like that.

"I won't change much. I know in some key moments I have to be more cautious, more responsible, but when England have been in trouble over the past two years I have done a pretty good job.

"It won't be something I nail myself about.

"I missed out in the first innings at Nagpur through a silly shot; in the second innings I could have made a hundred if I was really selfish but I played for the team.

"Then in the first innings at Mohali I wanted to book myself in for bed and breakfast - get a big knock - so I was really disappointed at the end of that day's play."

Pietersen's dismissal on the fourth evening - given out caught at slip by umpire Darrell Hair when the ball clearly struck above his wrist - came in the defining period of the contest, one which resulted in England losing five wickets in all.

He said: "That is why I got carried away and was a bit naughty when I got out. It is those kind of situations where I have come good in the past.

"There was an hour or two's batting I needed to do, especially against the spinners, that is why I was more upset at getting out than I have ever been in my career.

"But everyone makes mistakes and you have to take the rough with the smooth.

"I probably got away with it (a return catch to Anil Kumble which the third umpire deemed to be a bump ball) in Nagpur.

"I probably got away with an lbw decision in the Ashes, they all even themselves out.

"I probably shouldn't have reacted the way I did."