Kumble could be key

I will be surprised if the wicket in Multan offers bounce because I have long held that Pakistan batsmen are not comfortable on strips which have a bit of life in it. To go for jugular and use such tactics could well backfire for them. I have a feeling that two spinners are a must on a sub-continent wicket and Indians must opt for Kumble with either Murali Kartik or Ramesh Powar.

Though Kumble and Agarkar have been out of action, they must have been working at the nets and should straightaway find their rhythm. I just hope Kumble has completely recovered from his shoulder injury because bowling in nets and performing in a match situation are two different things. A session of 30-40 minutes in private and being on centrestage of public attention for days are two different things.

There is a concern about Sourav Ganguly but my first impression was that the fall wasn8217;t very nasty. Had the Indian captain played he could well be tested by the Pakistan battery, who would go full blast against him.

As against ODIs, the Pak battery would be a better force in Tests and in Ganguly they could sense their prey. They could keep a far more attacking field. Tests also afford bowlers a chance to stage a recovery. Unlike the ODIs, where each has only 10 overs that pass in a jiffy, Tests allow a bowler to work out his options far better.

Another batsman who needs to sort himself out quickly against Pakistan pacers is Virender Sehwag. It is one thing to keep saying that he has his own style of batting that must not be curbed but I wonder how long he can carry on if he doesn8217;t move his feet at all.

He didn8217;t seem to have any credible answer against the pacemen in the final four one-day internationals. If he doesn8217;t learn to move his feet, he will be in trouble in the Tests. I will also be very keenly watching the progress of our young opener Aakash Chopra who, despite his talent, bats too slowly. He will need to produce some big scores to build on his showing in Australia.

Though Sachin Tendulkar will be around, the pillars of the Indian batting will be VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. Both are prolific Test performers and can bat for long hours. India8217;s tail also gets a boost with the inclusion of Irfan Pathan, who has the potential to be handy with the bat. I doubt if, after his performance in the ODIs, he doesn8217;t start as an automatic choice in the line-up.

Pathan has heated up the competition among medium-pacers for a berth in the playing eleven. On pitches such as those in sub-continent, three medium-pacers could be a luxury. A team not only needs to make allowance for spin in the track after its usual wear and tear but a captain also needs bowlers who are prepared to bowl 40-50 overs. I can8217;t see India going with five frontline bowlers and it would imply Zaheer Khan and Laxmipathy Balaji could be struggling to push out Pathan and Agarkar out of the team. But it8217;s good to see India finally having a few bowling options!

The Indians can8217;t afford to relax because the job is only half-done. They have scripted history in the one-day series but Tests are equally important. The whole country is looking at them.

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