It was quite unusual to see the rush around curator Dhiraj Parsana. Despite the unfamiliar hustle around him, the former India player looked relaxed and assured the anxious group of media about a sporting wicket at the Sardar Patel stadium, the venue for the second Test between India and South Africa.

After the drawn Test in Chennai that saw the teams rack up 1498 runs over five days at the expense of just 25 wickets, what the fans need is a keen game of cricket. If Parsana's words are to be believed, the fans wait will be over when the first ball will be delivered on Thursday morning.

Not only fans, the bowlers from both the sides too will be a relieved lot after being reduced to punching bags in the first Test. There was a tinge of grass on the pitch on Tuesday, though it looked a bit more benign on the day, the wicket is expected to offer equal amount of assistance to both batsmen and bowlers through the five days.
With both the teams hoping to put behind the disappointment of Chennai behind them and surge ahead in the series, the intensity too will not be at a premium. The hosts, however, will have some issues to settle before they take the field on the morrow.

They have been grappling with the fitness issue of skipper Anil Kumble and paceman Ishant Sharma. The Bangalorean had undergone physical tests under the watchful eyes of coach Gary Kirsten and physio Paul Close. But a final call on his fitness will be taken only on the morning of the match.

Stiff back

Delhi pacer Ishant did bowl in the nets for a while, and it appeared that the injured toe has healed sufficiently. But his participation in the Test is subject to his recovery from the stiff back that he had picked up recently. Close is keeping a constant vigil on Ishant.

The other mooting point is the place left vacant by the absence of Sachin Tendulkar. The Mumbaikar had aggravated a groin injury during the Chennai Test. With Mohammad Kaif most likely to sit out, the debate will be whether to include Yuvraj Singh or Irfan Pathan.

After a blazing home series against Pakistan, the Punjab left-hander has slipped into a sleep mode during the series against Australia.

But there is a section that believes Yuvraj deserves another go, considering his failure Down Under as an odd blip.

If the inclusion of Yuvraj is a rather straightforward move, the second option opens the door to a more convoluted option. It is drafting in of Pathan and dropping one fast bowler – either Rudra Pratap Singh or S Sreesanth – and select the third spinner.

The leg-spinner Piyush Chawla will come into picture, and he will also be a cover for Kumble if there is an aggravation in his injured right groin. The effectiveness of third spinner is debatable, but the inclusion of Pathan will strengthen the batting to a certain extent.

But on the batting front, India have little worries. All their frontline batsmen are in good form, and the Chennai effort – though played on a docile track – will fill them with confidence.

Sehwag is the target

The South Africans have issued a warning of sorts to triple centurion Virender Sehwag. The Proteas said they will counter Sehwag's see-and-hit-ball method, using short-pitched balls.

The visitors bowling attack comprising veteran Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel can be quite handful if the conditions are even slightly favourable to them. It came as no surprise to see some of the Indian batsmen polishing their technique against short balls. Left-arm spinner Paul Harris too can pose some questions if the wicket transforms into a slow and low one at the later stages. Their batting too has a settled look with skipper Graeme Smith, Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla leading the charge.

Amidst seemingly never ending calculations about pitch and combinations, one factor is clear, this Test will turn out be a potential thriller.

Teams (from):

India: Anil Kumble (capt), Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Sreesanth, RP Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Ishant Sharma.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Jean Paul Duminy, Robin Peterson, Monde Zondeki.

Umpires: Billy Doctove (West Indies), Tony Hill (England); Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka).