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England coach Duncan Fletcher has played down claims Andrew Flintoff's form could suffer with captaincy, reports BBC.
Flintoff will lead England in the first Test with India in Nagpur today (Wednesday) after Michael Vaughan's knee injury.
"He hasn't captained for some time but we believe he is the best man and he is very keen," said Fletcher.
"We believe he has the potential to lead the side efficiently and what it might do is inspire him even more as a bowler and batter."
Vaughan himself admitted fears Flintoff's promotion could affect his performance with bat and ball.
"Ideally you wouldn't want him to be captain because his bowling and batting are so good you wouldn't want to take any of that away," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
"I'm sure he'll give it his best effort as he does when he plays. He's got to look forward to the challenges ahead, which are big challenges."
Lancashire all-rounder Flintoff had been due to head home before the final match of the three-Test series to attend the birth of his second child.
But following his promotion in place of knee injury victim Vaughan, he has decided to stay on.
"The situation dictates what I'm doing. It is a sacrifice I have had to make, but I feel I am very much making the right decision," Flintoff told the BBC.
"It is a hard decision, but (my wife) Rachael is very supportive of it. She is very proud I have been made captain."
"Unfortunately I'm probably not going to get home until after the third Test match when the baby will be born.
"But looking at it realistically as well, the chances of Rachael going into labour and me flying home and getting it all on time were probably slim anyway."
England will have at least one and possibly as many as four uncapped players in the side for the first Test.
"It's been a tough tour for the lads so far with illness and injuries. We're keeping the medical staff on their toes, the physios and doctor, who are doing a great job," said Flintoff.
But he insisted that whoever takes the field, they will be ready to compete.
"Come Wednesday I know what I'm going to get - I'm going to get 10 (other) lads who want to play for England and want to do well for England.
"We've spoken a lot about character and will to succeed and all of that's going to be tested over the next few weeks out in India.
"It's a hard place to play cricket anyway without the injuries and illness we've had, but it's a great opportunity for us though to go out there and show what we're about."
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