'England can bat into strong position'

Indian bowlers might have struck crucial blows but Kevin Pietersen feels England have the batting depth to put up a challenging 1st innings total.

Indian bowlers might have struck crucial blows but Kevin Pietersen believes England have the batting depth to put up a challenging first innings total in the second Test.

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Pietersen, who made an attacking 64 to rescue England from a precarious 36 for two, the visitors were looking at a score of over 400 and had the men to achieve the task.

"We will be looking to score 400 runs to give ourselves a good chance. We are 240 runs short of the target at the moment. But we have Paul (Collingwood) and Flintoff. There are a couple of others as well who can bat," Pietersen told reporters after the first day's play.

Pietrsen, who thrived on Indian spinners during his knock of 64, said he followed a simple rule while facing slow bowlers.

"I don't let spinners get on top of me, I allowed that against Shane Warne (during Ashes). I try to be as positive as I can. I try not to let them dictate terms to me -- it's just a case of getting on top of them."

And the 25-year-old had a message as well for India's debutant leg spinner Piyush Chawla whom he hit for a six and a four in one over to force him out of the attack.

"I felt sorry for the little kid," he said about the 17-year-old.

About the Mohali pitch, he said it was a double paced wicket but overall it was good to bat on the first day.

He also sought to play down his recent good form, saying it has been a result of some hard work. "I just try to work as hard as I can on my batting."