The Kanpur Test is all set to begin tomorrow, the 11th of April. South Africans will enter the field thinking they wont lose the series from here. On the other hand Indians will have to win this to level the series. Kanpur's Green Park is famous for its tame draws. Recently 12 out of the 19 tests played here have ended in a draw. After the meek submission by the Indians to the South African pace attack in Ahmedabad, the curators have gone on to prepare a spin track which will definitely suit the Indian spin trio. Yes this time India will be playing three spinners. Kumble's fitness is still under scrutiny. He will undergo fitness tests tomorrow morning to seal his place in the side. If Kumble doesn't make it to the team, it will give Romesh Powar an opportunity. India will be playing other two spinners Harbhajan and Piyush Chawla. Ishant Sharma's return to the side will be a big boost and he is likely to share the new ball with Shree Shanth. Pathan might miss this game despite his valiant knocks in Ahmedabad.
On the other hand South Africans are likely to play the winning combination. Though the pitch is a turning one they prefer to go just with the one spinner Paul Harris.
The pitch looks extremely dry and has no grass cover. Anil Kumble and the curator felt it would break as early as the third day and assist spin from there on. Gary Kirsten, India's coach, is reported to have been taken aback by the track on first inspection. If all predictions hold true, neither side will want to bat last. The toss will be extremely crucial.
The bounce is expected to be on the lower side which, given Dale Steyn's raw pace, could also work in South Africa's favour. If they win then Graeme Smith will become his country's most successful captain after equalling Hansie Cronje's record of 27 victories in Ahmedabad. South Africa will also be the first side to win in India since Australia in 2004.
Teams: Likely
India (probable): 1 Virender Sehwag, 2 Wasim Jaffer, 3 Rahul Dravid, 4 VVS Laxman, 5 Sourav Ganguly, 6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), 7 Anil Kumble (capt), 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Piyush Chawla, 10 Sreesanth, 11 Ishant Sharma.
South Africa (probable): 1 Neil McKenzie, 2 Graeme Smith (capt), 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 Ashwell Prince, 6 AB de Villiers, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Morne Morkel, 9 Paul Harris, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Makhaya Ntini.
Umpires: Billy Doctrove and Asad Rauf.
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