Dead rubber? No, time to test mettle

Before the fifth ODI, a million dollar question: just who is interested in it? Walking a mile through the Clifton market for handy bargains ...

Before the fifth ODI, a million dollar question: just who is interested in it? Walking a mile through the Clifton market for handy bargains in DVDs is a better idea than sitting at the National Stadium stands; the large Indian fan contingent that8217;s traveled here would agree. Yet tomorrow matters greatly to Murali Kartik, Gautam Gambhir, Mohammed Kaif, Ramesh Powar and Zaheer Khan; with Sachin and Irfan sitting out, they will get to play a bigger role and, as their captain wants, take pressure.

For some, it8217;s their first chance; for others it may be the last. It8217;s tough on Gambhir to sit out for 40 days and then all of a sudden be expected to pick up the bat and score runs but that8217;s international cricket.

After a false start in Lahore, the Delhi opener started well in Multan; in Karachi he has to just sustain it a bit longer. Kartik, unfortunately, is always on trial. The left-arm spinner was the best in high-scoring matches in the last tour but deliberate short boundaries have sabotaged his chances. Though Dravid says its tough to depend on spinners when you have flat wickets and short boundaries, spin has a role to play in ODIs and Powar and Kartik will try and prove that.

Zaheer has something to prove as well. With Irfan and RP Singh bowling in tandem and among the wickets, Zaheer has had marginal impact. There8217;ve been calls for him to be dropped but Zaheer is still sharp on his day, as his spell in the first ODI at Peshawar indicated.

Even Kaif will look forward to Sunday. Not so long ago he was a vital cog in the one-day team; now, his utility in the team has been overshadowed by players like Dhoni and Suresh Raina, who have excelled as 8216;finishers8217;. Two matches in the series, he hasn8217;t been among the runs and the team management is contemplating playing him at number three tomorrow so that he can score.

Finally, spare a thought for Pakistan, who have played some fabulous cricket this season. Their think-tank, captaincy, commitment and attitude have been questioned after three bad days on this tour. Inzamam 8212; confirmed today as captain for the rest of 2006 8212; doesn8217;t reveal too much on his face; it8217;s difficult to differentiate between disappointment and determination. But he knows a thing or two about pride, and that8217;s what Pakistan will play for. There8217;s still a match on tomorrow.