South Africa and India are not only pegged equal at stakes for the series but they also are in the same boat when it comes to selecting the eleven for the series-deciding Test, beginning in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The teams, locked 1-1 in the series, could be scratching their heads for the right choice till the final minute, as the spin-friendly reputation of the venue and South Africa's overt desire for a quick and bouncy wicket poses an interesting dilemma in the series.
India, for the first time, will not dismiss the option of playing two spinners out of hand, but there is far more certainty that Munaf Patel would come in for an impressive but inconsistent VRV Singh for the crucial encounter.
One of the two openers is set to make way for Gautam Gambhir, but Virender Sehwag could hold on to his place as wise heads measure the ramifications of the long-term effect of the move.
Wasim Jaffer has only marginally been less disappointing than Sehwag on this tour; they have 20 runs for the first wicket from the two Tests, but in Sehwag, the team has to weigh the void of losing out on the best batting talent India has unearthed in the last decade.
Sehwag might be a sitting duck at the crease these days, but pushing him into oblivion could be a terrible loss in the year of the World Cup, not to speak of the irreparable loss of missing out on a talent that at this stage should be at the height of his powers.
There is also this issue of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's bruised and battered fingers and the obvious discomfort he showed in keeping during South Africa's second innings at Durban. India would be loathe risking a major talent in a major game, more so when the fine-tuning for the World Cup has soon to begin in right earnest.
Dinesh Kaarthick, fortunately, does not seem a terrible option given the verve and spirit with which he has availed the few chances that came his way.
South Africa too would take a final count on Jacques Kallis' fitness. The team's premier batsman is getting better with the hour on his back problem but there is also so much that hinges on his ability to bowl his out-swingers. It is so vital to South Africa's plans since the fast bowling resources appear set to be depleted with the inclusion of left-arm spinner Paul Harris.
The hosts most probably would lay off Hashim Amla from the team and Hall too could step aside for Harris. The 28-year-old Zimbabwe born slow bowler has been fast tracked into national team and almost certainly will be called up for duty on a pitch that supports slow bowlers.
He is a departure from typical South African spinners who are supposed to pull in their weight with bat and in the field as well. He is tall and lean and is known to be miserly with runs.
That's not all that the hosts have to consider for the final game. Morne Morkel was impressive in the second Test but if Dale Steyn has regains fitness, his pace would almost certainly be called upon for the game. It is difficult though to be sure of his fitness given the way he broke down during the first Test at the Wanderers.
History points to South Africa's dominance over India at this venue. They have played two Tests against India at Newlands; playing a draw in the 1992-93 season and then winning by 282 runs in 1996-97.
On both occasions, South Africa batted first which has traditionally been seen as the best option on winning the toss at Newlands. They have the right man in Graeme Smith for the man since the home captain has won four out of five tosses at this venue.
Since their readmission in international cricket in early 90s, South Africa have won 10 of the 16 Tests here, drawing three and losing three and incidentally, all of them to Australia.
Despite the last few days being cold and cloudy in Cape Town, the weather forecast for all the five days during the Test is one of bright sunshine.
Teams (from):
India: Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid (capt), VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Mahinder Singh Dhoni, Dinesh Kaarthick, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Munaf Patel, Sreesanth and Zaheer Khan.
South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and Paul Harris.
Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pakistan) and Darryl Harper (Australia)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri Lanka)
Hours of play (IST): 13.30 to 15.30; 16.10 to 18.10; 18.30 till close of play.
