One-day pitch faces a tough test

Instead of preparing for three scenarios for the first day — pouring rain, sunshine and murky conditions with nip in the air — Team India has opted to wait and watch.

And that seemed clear at the afternoon press conference when captain Dravid said: ‘‘That’ll be done tomorrow morning after assessing various factors like the weather.’’

But there were broad hints at the nets yesterday and the press conference today that suggested Ganguly might be in the XI, of course if the Bazz opts to give Chennai a miss. Coach Greg Chappell called Ganguly an important member of the team and one who ‘‘fitted back in the group very well,’’ while Dravid speaking on the batting-all-rounder said: ‘‘ Sourav has been bowling a fair bit lately, and we will certainly be thinking of him as an option.’’

Considering the conditions — murky and heavy — wouldn’t change much, Ganguly’s dibly-dobly ‘in and out swingers’ can be handful for the Sri Lankans. That might mean Ganguly the bowler fitting in the role of a third pacer — after Irfan Pathan and Ajit Agarkar/RP Singh. But it is Ganguly the batsman that might force the team management to take a tough decision.

Selection matters wouldn’t be very complicated in case Virender Sehwag — who hasn’t quite stretched himself at the nets — fails to recover from the slight strain in the left shoulder. But in case he is ready to open the batting line-up, it would be Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman and after that will come the moment of truth. In case Ganguly plays and India go with four specialist bowlers, that will mean drinks duty again for Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif.

Chappell, when asked if playing Ganguly would mean Yuvraj getting the snub again, didn’t comment calling it a hypothetical question. But the debate that started it all in Zimbabwe two months back will come to haunt the think tank again. The only difference this time is the fact that the decision-maker isn’t the affected party.

But there is more to the selection problem than it being just Ganguly or Yuvraj or Kaif. There are quite a few grey areas on the brownish 22-yards in the centre that are disturbing. Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu comments on the pitch were an eye-opener. ‘‘I heard that this pitch was prepared for the one-day game against South Africa. It looks quite dry, and will certainly be a factor when it comes to choosing our final XI,’’ he said.

So does it mean that the one-day pitch wouldn’t survive for five days? If yes, India would like Murali Kartik to give company to Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble. Having a left-armer as a back up for leggie and offie would be ideal on a pitch that shows wear and tear. And that’s a luxury the Sri Lankans can’t afford since in Muralitharan they have the only genuine world-class slow bowler.

With nature and the other related uncertainties so overwhelming, the two teams seemed relaxed on eve of the match. They went through the motions and delayed the decision making for a day. Tonight the teams go to bed with a blank mind, but it’s night duty for the ground staff at the Chepauk. With tarpaulins, covers and plastic buckets next them the ground staff will have the eyes on the sky waiting for the Bazz to strike.