SOLID SUPPORT: With Rahul Dravid and Greg Chappell giving all the encouragement, players like Ramesh Powar and V.R.V. Singh would like to make an impression whenever they get a chance. — Photo: R.V. Moorthy

INDORE: India leads the series 4-1. Dead competition, many believe; true to a large extent, but not if you happen to be a youngster dreaming of rubbing shoulders with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Ask Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Kaarthick or Ramesh Powar. They want to grab the opportunity.

The concluding game of the seven-match series, between India and England, at the MPCA Stadium here on Saturday has evoked an overwhelming response from the cricket-crazy people in a city that has a tradition for the game.

Great entertainers like C.K. Nayudu and Mushtaq Ali prospered here during the days when the Holkars patronised cricket in a big way. They set the trend much ahead of the times.

In its effort to play the best possible combination on current form and performance, India is likely to rest Virender Sehwag and Mohammad Kaif. Munaf Patel may also miss the match by the same yardstick, while Harbhajan Singh, troubled by pain in his forearm, may take a well-deserved break.

Dashing strokeplayer

Uthappa is a dashing strokeplayer, capable of clubbing the English attack into submission. Being a compulsive shot maker, he has the tendency to make an impetuous move.

It may have cost him a place in the South Zone playing eleven in the Deodhar Trophy recently, but the selectors and the team management are convinced that he has the talent to assume the responsibility at this level.

An innings of sheer quality during the Challenger Series had shown Uthappa's ability to dominate the attack. In that one knock he revealed a rich range of strokeplay even though he has failed to repeat that same brilliance.

Powar signifies the modern day cricketer — confident and combative. Give him the ball in any condition and he would happily mark his run-up, set an attacking field and explore all the ways to scalp the batsman. He does not believe in containing the batsmen.

"I was brought up on the belief that the best way to tackle a batsman is by taking his wicket," says Powar.

An integral part

Having made waves with his off-spin in domestic cricket for some time now, Powar has not lost time in becoming an integral part of the Indian attack as this series has revealed.

The Mumbai bowler has not allowed the occasion to influence his natural style. "I have my style and I have decided to stick to it because it was this style that earned me the India cap. I get wickets by combining flight and spin. Why should I discard it? I think it was important for me to do well (at Jamshedpur). I am glad I played my natural game," averred Powar.

Powar backs himself to be acknowledged as an all-rounder. "I am an all-rounder and I want to be known as an all-rounder. The situation (at Jamshedpur) was ideal for me. It was a crisis situation and I had to make runs. It was good to have Dhoni as partner because he adapted to the situation. I was inspired by his discipline," said Powar, who has a habit of not looking at the scoreboard when batting.

The benefits of the National Cricket Academy have been highlighted in the success achieved by youngsters like Powar, Suresh Raina, Sreesanth, Uthappa.

"NCA has been a great experience. I learnt at the NCA that the loop and dip was important to my bowling," said Powar.

He also remembers Tendulkar telling him, "Always bowl full length. Allow the batsman to play the drive."

Powar admits that little piece of wisdom from Tendulkar was the turning point of his career.

"I got (V.V.S.) Laxman's wicket by getting him to drive at the Bangalore camp and that gave me the confidence."

Learning from Harbhajan

Humility also prompts Powar to confess that he has learnt from watching Harbhajan Singh.

"I wanted to bowl like him but I soon realised that he had a different style and grip. He was fast in the air and had strong fingers. My fingers are not as strong. I did not get wickets by trying to copy him. I went back to my style and I am happy with the way things have shaped up this season."

The team management is mighty pleased with Powar's all-round success in the last match at the Keenan Stadium.

His resolve now is to shed weight and improve his fielding.

Kaarthick, a fierce competitor, returns to the side, even if for one match only. It should help revive a career that took a backseat in the eyes of the selectors only because of Dhoni's superior batting.

Kaarthick does realise the importance of batting well and would not be found wanting in this department, going by the faith the selectors have in his potential.

The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association has put up the best of facilities for a good game on Saturday. The stadium, which will host its first international match, has been decked up with special care for spectator comfort like overhead protection from sun and adequate water.

As for the English cricketers, the challenge will be in coping with the dreadful heat even as Andrew Flintoff returns to lead the team by example.

The victory at Jamshedpur has motivated the team to try and forge one more at the end of a gruelling tour.

The teams (from):

India: Rahul Dravid (capt.), Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Kaarthick, Irfan Pathan, Venugopala Rao, Ramesh Powar, Harbhajan Singh, S. Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, V.R.V. Singh and R.P. Singh.

England: Andrew Flintoff (capt.), Andrew Strauss, Matt Prior, Kevin Pietersen, Owais Shah, Liam Plunkett, Geraint Jones, Paul Collingwood, Ian Blackwell, James Anderson, Matthew Hoggard, Ian Bell, Vikram Solanki, Sajid Mahmood, Kabir Ali and Gareth Batty.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen and A.V. Jayaprakash; Third umpire: I. Sivaram; Fourth umpire: A.M. Saheba; Match referee: Roshan Mahanama.

Hours of play: 9 a.m. to 12.40 p.m. and 1.25 p.m. onwards.

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