TOUGH TO REIN IN?: The Indians will be a refreshed lot after the five-day break, and will be keen to go up in the series. - PHOTO: S. SUBRAMANIAM

Kolkata: Despite the passing years, the Eden Gardens never appears to age. This is a venue with a heartbeat and a soul, a grand theatre of epics and tales of bravery.

Look at it closely and the arena is, perhaps, a mirror image of Kolkata itself. Both celebrate life.

On Friday, the spirit of this enchanting city will be put to test. Sourav Ganguly, Kolkata's favourite son, will not be figuring in the crucial fourth ODI between India and South Africa.

Ganguly's selection in the Test squad might have helped reduce the anguish of the average Kolkata fan, but will we see the throbbing sea of humanity at the Eden Gardens that has donned a key role in several Indian victories here?

India captain Rahul Dravid had little doubt about the crowd's likely response.

Asked about calls by certain organisations here to boycott the match, he said: "I have always loved playing here. A small group of people do not represent the people of Bengal. Whenever we have come here, we have been greeted with warmth and affection. The crowd turns up in large numbers and roots for India."

The security for the Indian team is tight, in the aftermath of some public displays of anger directed at India coach Greg Chappell and chairman of selectors Kiran More.

With the sides at 1-1 with two matches remaining, the team winning in Kolkata will travel to Mumbai with the confidence that it cannot lose the series from here on. South African captain Graeme Smith chose to look at the two games like a "two-match finals."

The dew factor

Traditionally, the ball swings in Kolkata due to the moisture content in the air. But then, this is more of a factor in the day matches where the first hour has, on occasions, dictated the course of the day's play.

There used to be more swerve in the air for the pacemen during late afternoon in the past, but the construction of some new stands has meant that the post-tea breeze from river Hoogly no longer travels across the pitch with the same intensity.

The pitch sported a layer of green on Thursday. It would be hazardous, though, to predict how much grass remains on the surface on Friday. Shaun Pollock and Irfan Pathan could cause some damage even if there is a hint of assistance for them. Pathan bamboozled South Africa with his opening burst in Bangalore. Pollock has bowled beautifully in the series, his two-way movement at a surprisingly lively pace enhanced by unerring accuracy.

After the initial phase, the surface could prove a slow turner. The ball usually `grips' for the spinners here and Harbhajan Singh has relished operating at the Eden Gardens. Left-armer Murali Kartik seems to have settled into a nice rhythm too. Dravid called Harbhajan the unsung hero of India's ODI campaign, one who has created the pressure in every game.

The South Africans might struggle to force the spinners on a slow pitch where decisive footwork and the ability to work the ball into the gaps with supple wrists is often the best method to keep the scoreboard ticking. In other words, the sub-continental batsmen will be better suited to deliver here.

The dew will continue to remain a critical factor, particularly in the eastern parts of the country during this time of the year. India is likely to go in with a double spin attack and logic points to bowling first; otherwise Harbhajan and Kartik might have to grabble with a wet ball.

Pitch behaviour

The dynamics of pitch behaviour can be fascinating. The surface in Bangalore, that was dry and dusty when South Africa took first strike, actually eased out in second part since the dew on the wicket resulted in bounce that was more even. The pitch at the Eden Gardens is different. The nature of the soil here means that the track will never be a dry one. The biggest danger for the chasing team might be in the form of the pacemen getting the ball to skid off the pitch.

Sachin Tendulkar will embrace another piece of history when he becomes, with 357, the most capped player in the ODIs. Dravid said, "It is a privilege and honour to be in the same dressing room as he is. It is a special moment for all of us."

The Eden Gardens is a fitting stage for such an enormous achievement.

The teams: India (from): Rahul Dravid (capt.), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif, M.S. Dhoni (wk), Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik, R.P. Singh, Gautam Gambhir, S. Raina, J.P. Yadav, S. Sreesanth. Coach: Greg Chappell.

South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (capt.), A.B. de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher (wk), Justin Kemp, Shaun Pollock, Johan Botha, Andre Nel, Charl Langerveldt, Mhkaya Ntini, A. Hall, Justin Ontong, A. Morkel, R. Petersen. Coach: Micky Arthur.

Umpires: Daryl Harper & A.V. Jayaprakash.

Third umpire: K. Hariharan.

Match referee: Jeff Crowe.

Hours of play: 2.30 p.m. to 6 p.m., 6.45 p.m. till end of match.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail