Going into the third and final Test, the momentum is certainly with the Indians, but there is no denying that the series could well have been shared at this point had the rains not intervened at Lord’s. Two Tests thus far, one dominated by the English and the other won by India, have left us with no real indication of what is to come at The Oval, and there is no better advertisement for Test cricket than that.

With the Trent Bridge loss on top of their minds, England will come doubly charged. But with the Indians, the pattern suggests that they are stronger in a back-to-the-wall situation than the one they are in now, with a win behind them. What differentiates a great team from a good one is how a team sustains the winning intensity when the opponents come firing on all cylinders.

The Indian playing pattern I am talking about is not only seen in series abroad, but on home soil as well. The last England tour of India was a classic example, where the tourists levelled the series in the final Test in Mumbai.
Tremlett’s second-innings spell will be the talking point in the England team meetings. The short ball, used regularly and intelligently, produced results with telling effect.

However, The Oval, which in the past has always favoured bounce -- and not of the up and down variety, I can assure you -- has in recent years not been that bouncy and has in fact helped the spinners towards the end by affording turn. But given that the track has more bounce, the England bowlers will have the upper hand, to begin with.

That brings us to the English tactics. Will Michael Vaughan wish to go in for a green, hard track or will he prefer a flat one? His batsmen were not comfortable against the moving ball in Nottingham but a flat wicket, which will still afford decent bounce, opens up the game somewhat for the most experienced bowler on either side, Anil Kumble.

On sheer wicket-taking terms, the veteran leg-spinner has held his own on the swinging and seaming tracks so far, and the expectations will be higher at The Oval. Here, I am not too sure if the England captain can have his way with pitch preparation, but the situation being what it is, a quiet word or two from the skipper may just be listened to with some intent.

Charged up
But Vaughan and his team first have to be sure about what they want. The team itself will be extra charged up, I feel, given that they have not lost a series at home under Vaughan.

Whatever the nature of the pitch and the conditions, I just hope the Indians will be upto it. Rahul will have left no stone unturned and on the drawing board, it will be all about winning. Yes, any player in the side thinking that maybe even a draw would lead to a series win will be doing so at the peril of his own team.

For the Indian team, the option of a draw shouldn’t arise, with all meetings and thoughts collectively and individually set for an outright win.

I do not see any changes whatsoever with the team composition, even if Ranadep Bose did well in the tour match to stake a claim. Sreesanth should still get the nod, but it is good to see the bench strength put pressure on the first eleven. That’s how it should be with a good team.
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