Flintoff is crucial to England's chances of building a decent total

Rain has limited the teams to just 65 overs in two days, in which time the tourists have limped to 200-5.

But Fletcher said: "There's still a lot of cricket left if the weather stays away over the next three days.

"We've got to make sure we don't think the draw is on the cards and have to be careful. Whoever gets on top on day three will hold quite an advantage."

Mohali scorecard

The England coach admits his side are in a precarious position and need Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones and the lower order to add at least another 100 runs to their total.

"We feel we've lost too many wickets - 200-2 would have been a very good score," he explained.

"This stand is important for us, hopefully they can get in. Jones has batted well with Flintoff on numerous occasions and they've put in some good partnerships.

"We have to get well over 300 and look at it from there."

There's plenty of reading, plenty of food being eaten and a bit of physio work Paul Collingwood

Fletcher also insists the fact that the visitors have picked only one spinner, compared with India's three, will not necessarily count against them later in the game.

"If that wicket breaks up, you will probably find a seamer could be effective," he added.

Paul Collingwood, dismissed for 25 in the only incident worthy of mention on Friday, said: "It did reverse swing a fair bit which is good news for our seamers but it's still a pretty good batting track."

He said the players were doing their best to stave off boredom.

"There's plenty of reading, plenty of food being eaten and a bit of physio work so there's still things to do."

Collingwood paid tribute to Indian spinner Anil Kumble, who bowled him with an excellent delivery which clipped the top of middle stump.

"All the Indian bowlers are good but it is Kumble who is going to bowl the most number of overs, he is the one who we have to combat.

"He is a great bowler and tough to play on any wicket," he said.