Caution Green Mamba ahead

Named after the deadly reptile,the the 22-yard wicket or the Green Mamba,as it is known here was given a gentle trim by the chief curator,as MS Dhoni and the Indians watched curiously with hope. But just like the snake after the halted process of moulting,new shades of green burst out of the ripeness,forcing victim Dhoni to sink into a sardonic frown. The skipper smiled sheepishly,knowing that even before the South Africans can strike on Boxing Day,the venomous wicket has.

Talks of green wickets spread through the dressing room,with Dhoni reminiscing of a freak Ranji Trophy pitch. Its very green. But not as green as a first-class game I played in, Dhoni said,clutching at straws,in this case,ripe ones.

With India 1-0 down,and a forked-tongue awaiting them on Sunday,Dhoni amp; Co preferred to extend a light workout in the safety of the practice area into a full course one. With Zaheer Khan sticking to his ritual of not practicing on the eve of the match,Team India belted it out without their fully-fit fast bowler.

Sachin Tendulkar and coach Gary Kirsten spent a long time exchanging thoughts while Dhoni,Cheteshwar Pujara,Virender Sehwag,Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were helped by overcast conditions during their vigorous session. As Gautam Gambhir continued to struggle with a niggle in his left hand,back-up opener Murali Vijay too had his fair share of leather on Christmas Day.

As of now,Zaheer is fit, Dhoni said about his premier seamer,notoriously prone to last-minute injuries. He has opted out of todays session but he is fit. Gautam has a niggle,one he picked up in the last Test. But I havent received a formal word on his fitness from the physio yet, the skipper added.

Its been an incredible year for Dhoni and his side. Although he lost his first Test as skipper in 2010 to the South Africans in Nagpur the captain has managed to consolidate the number one ranking in the world,successfully crushing Bangladesh away before doing more of the same against Australia and the Kiwis at home. While Dhonis second ever loss at Galle was nullified with a drawn series in Sri Lanka,the odds are stacked against India to do the same here after the Centurion defeat.

But before the final Test of the calendar year,Dhoni looked in no mood to sponge up the extra pressure of finishing a brilliant year on a high. Every game is big for us,irrespective of our position in a particular series. We dont consider a Test more important than the others, Dhoni added.

While India have lost twice and drawn once in Durban,the side will take heart from the fact that Graeme Smith amp; Co suffered two straight defeats in Boxing Day matches at Kingsmead. But with round one of this series in the bag,Smith is looking for a knock-out jab in Durban.

The pitch against both England and Australia was very different from this one. Those wickets assisted the spinners,while this one is lush green. Its up to us to put the record straight and we have the fire-power to utilise the conditions. Wed love for a 2-0 right here,instead of leaving it to Cape Town, said Smith.

The fire-power in question Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel didnt show up for the optional practice on Saturday,while even those who did,missed out on any warm-ups due to the afternoon showers. The momentum may be with South Africa,but coach Corrie van Zyl feels its nothing more than speculation.

Momentum lasts only until the next game. Whats important is the confidence gained from it. Were starting afresh in Durban,because momentum isnt going to win matches, said van Zyl.

A lot is at stake in Durban for both Smith and Dhoni. While the SA skipper will look to avoid a hat-trick of losses at Kingsmead,his Indian counterpart might finally be forced to concede the envious record of never losing a Test series.

And so,over the course of the next five days,Smith and Dhonis folklorish reputations will hang precariously on the legendary line the untamed Green Mamba.