The Hindu : Sport : Intriguing final Test on the cards

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Thursday, Mar 24, 2005

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Intriguing final Test on the cards

By S. Dinakar

KEEPING UP THE FOCUS: Though India is one up in the series, this is no time to relax. Here Anil Kumble, Ashish Nehra and Rahul Dravid are engaged in a game of volleyball during a practice session on the eve of the final Test in Bangalore. - Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE, MARCH 23. India failed to take advantage of a bright opening in Mohali, and then gained control of the middle game in Kolkata. It is now time for the end game in Bangalore.

Cricket is often similar to a game of chess, with moves and counter moves, and the third TVS Cup Test, beginning at the Chinnaswamy Stadium from Thursday, will be as much a test of strategy as skill.

India cannot lose the series with a 1-0 lead ahead of the final Test in a three-match series, but the side may lose the plot if it dishes out defensive cricket. The Indians will have to carry the momentum of Kolkata with them.

Sourav Ganguly won the spin of the coin twice, enabling India to bowl on a green wicket in Mohali and bat first on a pitch that assisted spin on the final day at the Eden Gardens. It remains to be seen whether the Indian skipper can be a third time lucky with the toss.

On a brown surface here, batting first will be a distinct advantage, and the spinners could emerge strongly in the picture as the contest develops. If Inzamam wins the toss, an intriguing match is on the cards.

A lot at stake

India has a lot at stake in this Test. A win, and a 2-0 series victory margin, will take the team to the second spot, its highest ever ranking, in the ICC Test table. India will then move to 111 points, one more than England. India is currently ranked third behind Australia and England.

Bangalore has not been a particularly happy venue for India though. From 1998, India has lost three of the four Tests played here, twice to Australia, once to South Africa and rain might have actually saved the host from a defeat at the hands of England in 2001. It was also here in 1987 that Imran Khan's Pakistan registered a series clinching triumph on a mine-field of a track.

But then, history could mean nothing against current form and India does hold a psychological edge over Pakistan.

Home advantage

Bowlers win matches and Kolkata hero Anil Kumble will relish bowling on his home wicket. It would be interesting to see whether Harbhajan Singh bears the scars of being reported again for a suspect action.

Sehwag has provided the side with blistering starts, Rahul Dravid has been rock-solid at No. 3, and Sachin Tendulkar, one short of 35 Test hundreds, has contributed in the middle-order. India will be seeking runs from captain Sourav Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman, who has recovered from an injury around his left eye. And opener Gautam Gambhir needs to consolidate on starts. Wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Kaarthick's displays, behind and in front of the stumps in Kolkata, were huge positives for India.

In the pace bowling department, Balaji has been impressive but left-armer Irfan Pathan has to bring in an element of consistency.

The Pakistani top-order had a better look about it in Kolkata, with Afridi blazing away and Younis Khan finding his timing and confidence. However, left-handed opener Taufeeq Umar appeared distinctly uncomfortable, and the visitors are likely to draft in Yasir Hameed. He has made runs against India in the past.

Pakistan will be seeking a collective effort from its batsmen, something that was lacking in Kolkata despite hundreds from Younis and Youhana. And on the final day, the Pakistani batsmen, save the gritty Asim Kamal, disintegrated mentally as India and Kumble built up the pressure.

Area of concern

The biggest area of concern for Pakistan is its bowling. Leggie Kaneria has bowled with great heart and craft, Mohammed Sami has produced a couple of fiery spells, but the attack lacks depth.

While Abdul Razzaq is more effective with the old ball for his ability to achieve reverse swing, he could, with his experience, also support Sami better with the new ball.

It is almost certain that Pakistan will field two specialist spinners, Kaneria and Arshad Khan, with Shahid Afridi as another option to Inzamam. Off-spinner Arshad is an old hand on a comeback, who has made a name for himself for his ability to send down tight spells. While Kaneria attacks, Arshad's job could be to stem the flow of runs at the other end.

And, of course, Inzamam will be playing his 100th Test. He should receive a standing ovation as he steps in.

This could also be John Wright's last Test as India's coach. An Indian win will be a fine farewell gift to an honest and sincere man.

The teams (from):

India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Dinesh Kaarthick (wk), Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, L. Balaji, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra.

Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq (captain), Younis Khan (vice-captain), Yasir Hameed, Shahid Afridi, Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (wk), Mohammed Sami, Arshad Khan, Danish Kaneria, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Shoaib Malik, Taufeeq Umar and Mohammed Khalil.

Umpires: Messrs Simon Taufel and Billy Bowden. Third Umpire. I. Sivaram. Match Referee: Chris Broad.

Hours of play: 10 a.m. to 12 noon; 12.40 p.m. to 2.40 p.m.; 3 p.m. till close of play.

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