Indian spin against Protea pace

After the designer turners that underpinned India's home success in the 1990s, three spinners in the playing XI has been a rarity. There has been the odd occasion, like Mumbai [2004] and Mohali [2006], but by and large India have opted for more balanced attacks in this decade.

The current injury crisis though has left them with little option but to go the spin-trident route. Zaheer Khan is out for the full series, while Ishant Sharma is unlikely to play a part even in Kanpurl. RP Singh was a disaster in terms of both fitness and form at Chennai, and Munaf Patel keeps dropping off the radar.

That basically leaves the new ball in the hands of Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan, both of whom are swing bowlers that enjoy conditions vastly different from those that await them at the MOtera Stadium. And with a groin injury hampering Anil Kumble's preparation for the game, India have no choice but to go for five bowlers.

With temperatures in excess of 40C forecast, three spinners is a sensible option. If Kumble is incapable of bowling long spells, then Harbhajan Singh, who took a 10-for in his last game here, and Piyush Chawla will be entrusted with the task of tying down a batting line-up that scored pretty freely at Chepauk.

Chawla is an unusual leggie in that his stock ball appears to be the googly. The legbreak doesn't turn much, but he has enough composure about him to stick to the basics and wait for the mistake. With India's spin future, post-Kumble, far from certain, it will be most interesting to see how he shapes up, especially against batsmen who are a far cry from those reduced to wrecks by Shane warne and his wiles.

Despite the conditions, South Africa will stick to those pace-bowling strengths on a hard and dry pitch. Given the heat and the abrasive nature of the pitch, the ball could get scuffed up pretty quickly, and as Dale Steyn showed in one lethal burst at Chennai, he can be a real handful once he gets the reverse-swing going.

Paul Harris will no doubt have long spells to bowl, but the keys to South African success will be Steyn, Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini, who seems to have got over his subcontinent funk. With Indian missing Sachin Tendulkar and the batting order slightly rejigged, the bowlers won't hold back. Expect Smith to unleash them in short bursts, with Harris to do the tourniquet job at one end.

India won with a measure of comfort against Sri Lanka in their last outing here, but this could be a very different proposition. The decisive factor could once again be Virender Sehwag. If he's in the mood, South Africa may face another leather-hunt. Get him cheaply though, and we have a very intriguing match to look forward to.

Comments

[John]

A fit Imdian fast bowler is an oxymoron. They have never been fit enough. This is why they break down all the time. Nothing has changed. Hamstring twinges, calves, side strains, shoulders etc. Put an Indian fast bowler in a gym and he'll ask you who is going to lift all those heavy weights for him.

[King Cricket]

At the last count India had about 30 young pace bowlers vying for places in the Test team. The pace foundation's reaping dividends, but 40 degree heat will always mean India's a friend to the spinner.

Good. Cricketing homogeneity's as welcome as I am at Rob Key's house.

[bunty]

y not vrv singh who has been in splendid form in the domestic game - the uneven bounce on the last day Ahmedabad wicket was used by srinath vs rsa in the 90s

[Dileep]

I just don't think Ishant will be risked. If he breaks down, it leaves the other bowlers with a huge task in conditions where the last thing you want to do is bowl long spells. That's my gut feel.

[Dhondy]

Dileep, you write that Sharma is unlikely to play, while all reports leading up to the match indicated that he would be available for selection. What's gone wrong?