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Time for India to redeem itself

Nandita Sridhar

Dry and cracked pitch is the centre of attention

— Photo: S. Subramanium

BOWLING OPTIONS: With the pitch at Kanpur’s Green Park expected to assist spinners, skipper Anil Kumble — if he clears his fitness test — may be tempted to play a three-pronged spin attack along with Harbhajan Singh and Ramesh Powar.

Kanpur: This series hasn’t quite generated the fire of two teams playing for Test cricket’s No.2 spot. India in a repeated frantic grope for eleven of its fittest, has been up against a squad that has shown the preparedness one expects from South Africa. If the series has lacked charm as it is, then it’s cruel to expect any different from this venue.

The Green Park, as it’s still audaciously called, is set to host the third and final Test of this series. The pitches in this series have been deified and vilified, both in equal measure. It will be a pity if the series is defined by the wicket, but the track here — dry, remarkably cracked and bereft of any live grass — makes it hard to do otherwise.

The cracks on the wicket have been noticed, and statements carefully constructed to hide disappointment and delight. Teams have been oblique, though one detects faint sarcasm in brushing off the importance of the toss or the wicket.

Kumble doubtful

Injuries have nearly matched the wicket in their prominence. Indian captain Anil Kumble briefly pleased the media gathering when he announced that nearly all his team members were fit, but was quick to add he wasn’t.

“Sreesanth and Ishant are fit. Regarding my fitness, I will have to wait till the morning to decide. That will be the first call in the morning. I’m not yet comfortable bowling at the nets, but I am hoping to get better,” said the captain.

Kumble’s fitness concerns impaired his bowling in the second Test, and as a consequence his captaincy as well. Options that could have worked for India in Ahmedabad weren’t considered. Not utilising his swing bowlers when there was a cloud cover was one such.

A bowling captain suffers when rival teams score heavily. When runs are collected with such ease there’s always the option of bringing himself on more than required. An injured bowling captain isn’t able to meet his own requirements as a bowler, which can frustrate. An unfit Kumble in the eleven could be a gamble.

Three spinners

Subject to his fitness, India is almost certain to play three spinners. In his absence the debate will be between playing two inexperienced spinners with Harbhajan Singh, just so the side can take comfort in the option, and picking the better bowlers irrespective of the track.

Tempting as it is to consider Irfan Pathan, his bowling hasn’t had enough in it to push his case as a No.7 who can bowl. India might have few options.

South Africa, despite the option of playing Robin Peterson, might still go in with just the sole spinner in Paul Harris. A wicket as fragile as this one could offer uneven bounce if it breaks rapidly, making it hazardous to face Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel. Steyn in particular has been known to use the yorker.

The Indian batting has a chance at redemption, but batting fourth with the cracks opening is worrisome, drawing attention to the toss. If the pitch doesn’t crumble as is feared, the bounce is harmless enough.

“We are not worried about the pitch. We have to maintain our focus. For us, it’s just about executing our game plan well. I believe things have worked for us so far and it will work again,” South African captain Graeme Smith said on Thursday.

Settled team

“We have a settled team now and we are more comfortable in handling everything thrown at us. The pressure will be more on India,” he added.

South Africa has taken chances when offered. A greenish wicket was made use of by its bowling attack. A chance to inflict a three-day defeat was taken when Smith decided on his declaration. The side looks set to cap a remarkable season in the sub-continent, with a win here.

Things are different for the host. Barely two months after India played out a high-quality series in Australia, the side has been criticised for lack of focus, interest and intensity at home. Much recently, success abroad has affected performances at home. The need has arisen to preserve its home record in all its glory.

The teams (from): India: Anil Kumble (captain), Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, S. Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan, Piyush Chawla, Mohammad Kaif, Munaf Patel, Ramesh Powar, Ishant Sharma and Yuvraj Singh.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, A.B. de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, J.P. Duminy, Robin Peterson and Monde Zondeki.

Umpires: Billy Doctrove and Asad Rauf. Match Referee: Roshan Mahanama.

Play begins from 9.30 a.m.

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