Calcutta: Ajinkya Rahane accepted on Thursday that the Indian batting group have let down the bowlers in the ongoing Test series.

Speaking at a media conference on the eve of the fifth and final Test, at The Oval, Rahane said: "Patience is the key in England, whether you bat or bowl. You got to bowl in the same areas for a longer period of time. Maybe as a batsman, you have to leave the ball for a longer period of time.

"We feel bad as our bowlers bowled so well and we as batting group could not support them. I think we as batting group fell short.

"When you are on tour, you work so hard and prepare so well... Then when one department performs well, then it is the responsibility of other group to back them," he added.

Though India have already lost the series, Rahane said that the No.1 Test side will look to finish the tour on a winning note. "Definitely, it is an important Test match. The series stands at 1-3 and we want to give our best and finish on a winning note. Especially since I feel we played some good cricket, but England played better than us," Rahane said.

"In Test cricket you have to give more than 100 per cent in each and every session. I felt England won the small and important sessions. Their bowling unit have done really well.

"This is the last test... We are focussed on performing well in this match and if we can win this Test and go back 2-3, then that will be really good," he said.

Rahane believes England are a strong team at home. "Every team plays really well at home nowadays. England have played better cricket than us... Batsmen of both the teams have struggled a lot. Only Virat (Kohli) has batted really well in these conditions," he said.

"But England, in their conditions, are a very good team and are very experienced with James Anderson and Stuart Broad in their attack. Moeen (Ali) bowled really well in the last game."

Asked if India are willing to make changes in the playing XI, Rahane didn't wish to confirm anything.

Ravindra Jadeja might replace Ravichandran Ashwin, who is reportedly recovering from a hip injury. "Patrick (Farhart, physio) will be a better judge to answer that. But he played the last Test in Southampton, bowled really well and he fielded really well, so I don't think there's an issue with his fitness," said Rahane.

"Our team has not announced yet. We have to wait and see what the captain and the coach think about the team combination."

• Match starts: 3.30 pm (IST)