Shah hopes to get his chance

The Middlesex batsman was outstanding during the 5-0 one-day series defeat in India, but England chose the same batting line-up which finished the home Test series against South Africa last summer for the opening match, which ended in a six-wicket defeat.

"It was probably one of the toughest decisions to not pick him (Shah) because he played beautifully (in the one-day series)," confirmed coach Peter Moores.

Now England face another selection dilemma as they prepare for Friday's final Test in Mohali as they attempt to repeat the feat of two years ago by winning the last game to level the series.

Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood, who were both under pressure leading into the series, scored superb centuries at the Chepauk Stadium to ensure their participation although Ian Bell once again disappointed and could find himself under pressure.

It is by no means a foregone conclusion, however, that England will change their batting line-up at all with Moores admitting they have a big decision to make over the next two days.

Moores added: "The challenge was to decide who to go with and that debate is a really tough one.

"We batted well as a unit and it was justified to give those lads a chance - I think the lads who played deserved their chance to carry on and they put us in with a chance to win the game."

Moores stressed: "It should be hard to get into a Test-match team and you can always do more in all the cricket you play whether it's domestically or wherever to put people under pressure.

"Owais played beautifully during the one-day series but we have also got very good players in that Test-match team. You have to make a decision on what you think is the best team for England at any given time."