Day before, fans high on MSD

Sixth one-dayer: India chase history in Steel City, England to 8216;rest8217; Flintoff

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a demigod in these parts and maybe that8217;s why, stand-in skipper Virender Sehwag plans to push him up the order for tomorrow8217;s sixth ODI against England here. The Nawab of Najafgargh is now the lord of all he surveys in the absence of Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, and on his shoulders rest India8217;s chances of achieving something they have never done before.

Not since 1974 when India began playing the shorter version, has they managed to win a series with a clean sweep. Greg Chappell8217;s boys will probably not get a better chance to do so, as they aim to finish off a depleted England side, while at the same time continue to experiment and give youngsters in the squad a chance.

Sehwag knows it8217;s a tough ask, but since Chappell8217;s Mission 2007 World Cup is still in its preparatory stage, the trial and error method is set to continue. More than anything, the Guwahati washout was a lost opportunity for a couple of the youngsters, particularly Y. Venugopala Rao and Robin Uthappa, and indications are they will get a bat tomorrow, with Dravid8217;s statemate pairing Sehwag at the top of the order.

With the series already decided, the general notion of players and fans losing interest in the remaining matches doesn8217;t really apply here, if only because of the number of records the Indians are chasing, besides the local interest. The win in Kochi not only sealed the series but also equalled India8217;s record of eight wins on-the-trot and a win tomorrow could break that.

But, the Keenan Stadium 8211; reportedly among the world8217;s smallest venues with a capacity of 21,000 8211; has not been a happy hunting ground for India. The hosts have played eight and have only won one and so history is against them.

That is about the only consolation that England can take into the match this series. But in England, like in the Indian team, the newcomers will be desperate to grab the opportunity. The Ashes exploits seemed like a distant dream and star batsman Kevin Pietersen admitted that the time has come to get back into the Ashes mode.

And, it seems the England think-tank is already looking ahead. The decision to rest Andrew Flintoff, on the verge of a century of ODIs, had already been taken and it was only a question of when.

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The Guwahati washout provided the all-rounder with an opportunity to put his feet up and indications are he might stay that way. That was what coach Duncan Fletcher said, too. 8220;We want to rest Freddie whenever we can. We saw this as an opportunity the other day,8221; he has said.

He has also said that this was a question of 8220;mental and physical fatigue. Once Fred has got a ball in his hand or bat in hand he gives 100 per cent.8221;

Moreover, the Ashes hero might even be rested for the ICC Champions Trophy to keep him fresh for the battle against their old foes in September.

In such a scenario, England will just look to avoid the ignominy of the whitewash on what looks to be a sporting wicket. It will not be a sell-out here owing mainly to the heat 8212; the mercury touched 44 degrees today 8211; and after the frying-pan experiences in Goa and Kochi, England have another battle against the conditions.