Patel enjoys training intensity

England will continue to go the extra mile to try to turn their fortunes around against India, in an ODI series which has already taken on an ominous complexion.

Alastair Cook's tourists must win in Mohali on Thursday to avoid a 3-0 scoreline which will spell defeat, with two matches still to play.

England know the stakes are high for them to respond quickly to successive landslide defeats in Hyderabad and Delhi.

But they will pin their faith in hard work, collective endeavour on and off the field - and the conviction that they are at least a match for their opponents, in any conditions.

Samit Patel is a case in point.

The all-rounder spent two-and-a-half years out of the England reckoning because of concerns about his fitness levels.

Those doubts are behind him now, and he is enjoying the requirement that he buckles down to a team ethos he believes is to everyone's advantage.

"It's not just me; it's everybody else," said the 27-year-old.

"We all practise and train as intensely as we do in the game, and I'm sure that's why we've had the successes.

"It's extra training for me; it's fantastic and gets me flying on the park."

England will be careful, however, not to overdo their preparation in the middle of a hectic series of five ODIs in 11 days.

"We've been doing some extra training, but it's been pretty tough with the schedule we have here - moving on so often," Patel added.

"It was better in Hyderabad for me. But I'm always looking to improve my game in all aspects - bowling, batting, fielding and the fitness.

"I'm sure I'll come away a better bowler and I'll have a lot more confidence playing against other teams."

Patel has great faith in England's ability to battle back in the series, and particularly in his captain's leadership.

"I think Alastair's a fantastic captain," he said.

"He's shown a lot of maturity.

"We've got to put the two games behind us. But we know we're good enough cricketers to compete out here; we know we can turn it around in Mohali.

"I know that if we play to our best, we'll be too strong for them."

As for the heated exchanges between some England players and India's batsmen in Monday's eight-wicket defeat in Delhi, Patel echoed Cook's sentiments - that the tourists need to stay aggressive in their body language.

Their behaviour earned the attention of the umpires, but did not appear to overstep the mark.

"Competitiveness out on the pitch is good," said Patel

"Some England teams might have come out here and taken a back step. But I'm sure we're not going to do that."

There were a few altercations between several England players and Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir during the second ODI in Delhi.

Patel was quoted by The Sun newspaper that they will carry on sledging in an attempt to "get the Indians out of their comfort zone."

But the British paper admitted that this "tactic backfired badly in Delhi as India stormed to their second crushing win of the series."

Patel said: "It carried on from the England series back home. Guys don't forget and I'm sure the Indians have had a bit of stick after we beat them 3-0. I don't think they were particularly happy with the way they played in England and they're trying to show us why."

The portly spinner also added: "I'm sure they love to give it out, so they can take a bit from us. We wanted to play a positive game of cricket and we didn't leave anything on the park."

"We want to get them out of their comfort zones. No one likes to target India in India because of the crowds and our guys would like to do that. England teams who have been here in the past have taken a backward step. I love the fact that our guys are taking it to them," Patel said.