The three-Test series beginning at the MA Chidambaram stadium here on Wednesday doesn't promise the titanic struggle Australia was -- neither in intensity nor in terms of interest among the public.

For one thing, India are on home turf. For another, notwithstanding their stupendous success rate in Tests in the last three series, South Africa don't possess the same aura as the Kangaroos. Unlike India's tour Down Under, the build-up has been somewhat lukewarm. Barring Virender Sehwag's 'SA are on the back foot to begin with' and murmurs that the famed Indian batting line-up may struggle against the raw pace of Dale Steyn, the lead-up has been devoid of off-field drama.

Keen rivalry

Even so, the face-off with Graeme Smith's men -- worthy challengers to India's number two Test ranking -- holds the potential for a keen rivalry. No team, apart from Australia, has been more competitive in India than South Africa. In fact, much before Australia realised their dream of conquering India in India in 2004, the Proteas under Hansie Cronje had tamed a Sachin Tenulkar-led side in 2000 series.

During their last sojourn of India, South Africa made India struggle for their 1-0 victory. South Africa certainly bring something to the table while playing in India. But in the face of a morale-hurting quota controversy, against an upbeat home side and in hot and humid conditions, it will not just be a test of skills but also character.

Steyn threat

On the face of it, South Africa seem to have enough in their arsenal to resist the Indian surge. They pack a knockout punch in tearaway Steyn, who will be well-supported by fellow pacemen veteran Makhaya Ntini and the fast improving Morne Morkel. Paul Harris, against whom the Indians struggled in South Africa on their last tour, will look to exploit the Indians' supposed weakness against left-arm spin. The batting is safely tucked away in the hands of an in-from skipper Smith, the rock-solid Jacques Kallis, the talented AB de Villiers and a reliable Mark Boucher, not to discount Hashim Amla.              

Indian strategy

On India's part, skipper Anil Kumble made it more or less clear that the hosts will stick to the time-tested formula of two pacemen and two spinners. Consequently, left-arm paceman Rudra Pratap Singh will be joined by right-arm swing bowler S Sreesanth, with Kumble and Harbhajan Singh sharing spinning duties. The team combination will force Kumble to juggle with Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly as support bowlers.

India’s batting line-up wears a by now customary solid look. Sehwag will seek look to continue his good form of the Test series in Australia, and build on the match-saving century in Adelaide and Wasim Jaffer will get another chance to prove his worth at the top of the order after forgettable outings Down Under. Jaffer's inclusion means Yuvraj Singh will have to sit out. Rahul Dravid will be keen to get back to his big-scoring ways while VVS Laxman will look build on the Australian success. Mahendra Singh Dhoni may be the heir apparent to Kumble, but his Test record isn’t inspiring overseas. What better place to regain lost touch than in familiar home conditions?
    
Home conditions make India favourites to get off to a winning start. It will be icing on the cake if Tendulkar, perhaps in his best form in the last five years, stacks up the 172 runs required to displace Brian Lara as Test cricket’s most prolific run-getter.

Teams:

India (likely): Anil Kumble (capt), Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, S Sreesanth, RP Singh. 

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

Umpires: Tony Hill (New Zealand) and Asad Rauf (Pakistan). Third umpire: Amish Saheba. Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka).