Indian batting icon Sunil Gavaskar has backed his countrymen to achieve a draw in the third Test match with England, despite the hosts strong position heading into day four.

Heading into the penultimate day, India are 323/8 in reply to England's first innings total of 569/7, trailing 246 runs.

And while India face a near impssible task of winning at Hampshire's Ageas Bowl, Gavaskar is confident his nation will do enough to retain their 1-0 series lead.

“It looks like a draw,” said Gavaskar, who scored 10,122 Test runs in 125 matches for India.  “The main reason for my prediction is that the wicket has not deteriorated at all.”

The 65-year-old India great also believes it would be a mistake on England's part to enforce the follow-on should the opportunity arise.

“It is not recommended," he added. "Batting in the fourth innings is always more difficult. The best option is to go out there again, pile on some quick runs and let India bat after tea."

He added: “I think England should be looking at setting the Indians about 400 runs with four sessions to bat out.

“The Indian batsmen as a batting unit are not in the sort of form to score 400 in the fourth innings.”