Skippers keep guessing game on

Karachi: Rahul Dravid loves to keep people guessing. He diplomatically ducks controversial questions with some stock answers. He is also very calculative and knows how not to commit himself with words like "hopefully" and "likely".

This interview reveals how shrewd he can be while answering questions.

GULF NEWS: What do you feel about the Karachi wicket? Is it better than the earlier two pitches?

DRAVID: It is a very good wicket. It should turn out to be better as the match progresses.

What do you mean by good wicket? Is it a batting wicket?

No. It will be a good wicket to bat on. But it does not look like a flat wicket since there is a bit of grass on it. It should help the bowlers and hopefully we should have a result.

Are there any changes in the Indian eleven?

I have various options and I am looking into it now. We have decided on the 13 for the Test. Except for Wasim Jaffer, Gautam Gambhir and Parthiv Patel, all the others are eligible for selection.

Does that mean Ganguly will be in the eleven?

All the 13 are available for us to decide. We are likely to decide the eleven only before the match.

So will you go in with five bowlers like in the Faisalabad Test?

There are various options open for us. I don't like to lay all my cards on the table. We might go in with four or sometimes five. What we need is to get 20 wickets, so we are looking at the best combination that can do it.

Do you feel a bit of pressure as this Test is going to be the decider of the series?

When both teams are 0-0 after two contests, both the teams will be under pressure to win the last match and settle the series.

Do you think your decision to go in with five bowlers in the last match was justified?

Yes. The bowlers had to bowl about 250 overs and it was nice that five bowlers could share the burden. The net result is that my bowlers are fresh for this Test. If I went in with only four bowlers, it would have been tough for them. I could easily rotate the bowling without tiring anyone.

Didn't your bowlers get demoralised after having to bowl on those wickets?

They bowled really well. The conditions were not easy. R.P. Singh and Zaheer Khan bowled extremely well under the conditions. Those wickets were a challenge and I am sure they have learned a lot.

Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Inzamam-Ul-Haq was still unsure about his fitness for the Karachi Test. Following are excerpts from a chat with the Pakistan skipper.

GULF NEWS: How is your back pain? Will you be fit for the Test?

INZAMAM: I will decide whether I am in a position to play or not only tomorrow. My treatment is on and I am hoping to be fit.

In the event of you being unfit, have you thought about your replacement?

Yes, opener Imran Farhat could step in. We have also included Faisal Iqbal in the side mainly with this view. One of them can fill in.

What are your comments on the pitch?

It is much better than the one in Faisalabad. It should help the bowlers.

Will there be any changes to your playing eleven?

Of course. Besides our three regular pacers, we have still to decide on the number of bowlers that will play. This pitch is likely to help the pace bowlers.

There is a talk that you ordered such pitches in Lahore and Faisalabad?

Before this series started, I had made it clear that I was not happy with the pitches. I have emphatically stated that I want sporting wickets.

Moen Khan has commented that Sachin Tendulkar is scared about playing pace? What is your comment about it?

It is Moen Khan's opinion. I don't read newspapers to find out all that.

But what do you feel about Tendulkar's form?

It is difficult to form an opinion from one innings.

Since the team that wins this Test will also win the series, are you under pressure?

A home series is always a pressure-filled one. India can also lose this series if they play badly in this match. So the pressure is on both the teams.