India to stick with Dravid at number three

India are expected to resist the temptation to drop struggling batsman Rahul Dravid down the order as they attempt to seal a series victory over England in the final Test.

India's former captain has scored only two half-centuries in his last 19 Test innings and although he was retained in the top bracket of India's central contracts for the next year, his future at the top level remains in doubt.

"VVS (Laxman) could bat at No 3 and Dravid could come down to No 5, but there is always a chance that if VVS gets a good ball and goes early then we could be three down and that would put extra pressure on Rahul," explained captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. "We are not worried about Rahul's form. No-one can question his talent - he just needs to get past the 30-run mark and get a start."

India are expected to name an unchanged line-up at a ground where they trounced Australia by 320 runs in the second Test in October and where leg-spinner Amit Mishra claimed seven wickets on his debut.