India and Pakistan will face off in their fourth Test series in less than as many years, perhaps taking away the novelty factor associated with an Indo-Pak contest. From now onwards, however, the teams will only meet each other every two years on a home and away basis, and that is essential not just to keep the interest going but also to ensure that there is no overkill.

The last three series have shown that there is precious little separating the two teams. India scored their first series win on Pakistan soil in 2004, while Pakistan managed a 1-1 draw in India the following year. Last year, Pakistan won 1-0 at home by virtue of their massive triumph in Karachi despite Irfan Pathan's hat-trick. I will, though, stick my neck out and assert that India hold a distinct edge going into this three-match series.

For starters, India's batting line-up is vastly more experienced and better suited to the conditions than Pakistan's. Inzamam's absence will be a crucial element. Even though Younis and Yousuf have been constant thorns in India's flesh for a while now, I believe India's bowling attack too is well equipped to help Anil Kumble get off to a winning start as Test captain.

Anil will look to keep his love affair with the Kotla going. It was here, at an Irani Cup tie more than 15 years back, that he weaved his magic to return to the Indian team after one year away from international cricket. His exploits against Pakistan in 1999 will forever remain fresh in the memory of Indian fans. All ten wickets in a Test innings for only the second time was an awesome achievement. There will be a feel-good factor that will envelop Anil as he walks out to the toss for the first time in a Test match, but as he has shown time and again, he is unlikely to get carried away by either emotion or sentiment.

There has been some talk about how Anil will go as captain. In my mind, he will be a fantastic leader of men. He has played cricket with and against most of the guys who will play tomorrow, and has the respect of both his contemporaries and the juniors from both sides. His is a strong, if quiet, personality. He has always played his cricket in an aggressive, attacking fashion. He has, to me, the aggression of a fast bowler, always looking for wickets, always plotting and planning. I can state with conviction that there will be nothing tentative or iffy about his decision-making. He will make his decisions with intelligence and common sense, and knowing him, he will stand by his decisions, no matter what.

Already, Ricky Ponting has gone on record stating Anil will be under pressure when India tour Australia next month. And Anil hasn't even been made skipper for that tour yet! It just goes to show how adept the Aussies are at playing mind games, and it also reinforces the wisdom behind elevating Anil to the captaincy and keeping Dhoni under wraps, at least for the time being.

Australian pronouncements will make no impression on Anil, not even when he hits Melbourne in under four weeks' time. For now, all his energies will be focussed on the Test series. After all, India haven't beaten Pakistan at home since 1980!