India have tricky task ahead

The volatility of modern Test cricket may render this redundant by the time you read this but, somewhere in the back of their minds, Team India8217;s think-tank will probably be wondering whether they got it wrong in going with five batsmen at Mohali.

The volatility of modern Test cricket may render this redundant by the time you read this but, somewhere in the back of their minds, Team India8217;s think-tank will probably be wondering whether they got it wrong in going with five batsmen at Mohali.

On the face of it this Test is wide open; there8217;s still 200 overs to go, India have six wickets in hand and are only 151 runs behind. They even have a formula to put the pressure back on England: Score fast on Sunday, buildup a lead and let the bowlers do the rest on a deteriorating wicket.

And they have the men to do that 8212; MS Dhoni is batting along with Rahul Dravid, there8217;s Irfan Pathan and Piyush Chawla to follow; Kumble and Harbhajan too can use the long handle to good effect too. But if the glass is half full, it8217;s also half-empty; if England take a first-innings lead India would have a tricky time batting last in typically English conditions.

And the visitors revelled in those conditions today, putting on a top-notch display of pace, bounce and fielding/catching. The ball was zipping across the batsmen8217;s face and quite a lot of deliveries carried at shoulder height to the wicketkeeper. This pitch seemed to come alive with pace and bounce.

8216;8216;After yesterday, everyone thought it would be a boring draw8217;8217;, said Steve Harmison. 8216;8216;But there8217;s still plenty of time left to get a result, I think we stand a great chance.8217;8217;

Andrew Flintoff is leading his side from the front; he8217;s done that several times of late. His knock of 70 was of equal importance to bowling a snorter to dismiss Tendulkar and taking a catch that sent back Wasim Jaffer.

Rahul Dravid is no all-rounder; but Flintoff8217;s counterpart has been more consistent and effective in taking the team out of a dodgy position. It would be an interesting day of cricket; not for the sake of eking out a result but in terms of seizing the initiative and winning small battles in this series war.