‘We’re unlucky that Yuvraj chose us to return to form’

“As a side, we were a little unlucky. When the tour started, Yuvraj was down in form but he bounced back in the first two matches of the series and is looking hungry for more,” Swann said.

Yuvraj has been in sensational form against England, hitting a 78-ball 138 in Rajkot and following it up with another century and a four-wicket haul in Indore.

Swann, however, oozed confidence that captain Kevin Pietersen and talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff would step up to match Yuvraj shot for shot.

“We also got two very good hitters in Pietersen and Flintoff and though they have not fired on all cylinders, I hope tomorrow they would and we’ll win the match,” he said.

With his Nottinghamshire colleague Samit Patel getting the nod ahead of him in the first two one-dayers, Swann admitted it was disappointing not to get into the playing XI. “It all depends on the shape of the team but at the same time it’s never nice not to get a game.

“As a spinner, you always look forward to bowl in India. If I get to play tomorrow, I hope there will be some turn in the wicket,” said the English tweaker.

Swann said England would love to bat first here but also made it clear that irrespective of the outcome of toss, England, trailing the seven-match series 0-2, would have to win the match to stay afloat in the series.

“Any team that wins the toss would love to bat first here. It happens so in most of the ODIs. But either way, we have to win this match, irrespective of whether we bat first or bowl first,” he said.

Swann didn’t rule the possibility of a rejig in the batting order. “I’m not sure but after the last two games, we are looking at where we can make improvements. If there are areas where we can really improve, I’m sure we’ll do that,” said the youngster.

Some of Swann’s teammates, including Pietersen and Flintoff, are reportedly worried with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) failing to manage a deal for them in the Indian Premier League and the miffed players are yet to sign the central contract.

Swann, however, dismissed notions that IPL had become a thorny issue in the dressing room as well.

“Look, I have not been approached (to play in IPL),” he quipped. “I guess one or two players in the team want to play and it’s fair enough considering the money involved. I think they are talking to their agent, IPL and the board to sort things out. It’s not an issue in the dressing room,” he said.

Asked about Ravi Bopara’s absence in the nets, Swann said the Essex player was down with ‘Delhi Belly’ and stayed back in the hotel.