Obligatory uncertainty, dazzling premise

As with all the greatest sporting derbies, matters are never routine when India and Pakistan come together. Strange things, not always clasped to the fortunes of form, class and temperament, happen.

A match is stolen off the last ball with a mighty six, a match is won off the third last ball with an equally grand stroke; 350 is nearly chased down yet 126 proves too far; a fast bowler of repute is smashed for 40 runs in two overs but an opener with a tidy line in slow-medium wobblies cripples a side; people flock to see them play in deserts, against a backdrop of windmills and even in Canada, a country as au fait with cricket as India and Pakistan are with ice hockey.

And we should be glad for it. Such previews generally carry all the weight of a feather floating in space but for what its worth, here is a punt. Home advantage and a stodgier feel to their personnel tips the balance in India's favour, albeit gingerly. Then again Pakistan don't mind the other tag, one they wore so ebulliently on their last tour two years ago. Does that tip the balance back?

Citizens of two nations they may be, but certain truths are shared. One, Bollywood cuts across the Line of Control as does indigenous Pakistani classical and pop music. Two, democracy works for one, maybe not the other. Lastly, and most importantly, India's batsmen have always been unchallenged kings of the region and Pakistan's bowlers its' undisputed lords.

Much like the Rolling Stones, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly roll on. They don't surf the zeitgeist as they once did, but like the band, they still provide solid value. Suresh Raina may be yesterday's news, but Rohit Sharma might be tomorrow's. The real spunk, however, comes from Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa and the captain himself. Mahendra Singh Dhoni may command Shahid Afridi-like fan fervour and he may have the strike-rate to match, but he is a cerebral giant by comparison.

The Wall is resting, fatigued no doubt from the support it has provided in recent times. But if and when India falter at 15 for 2 with nothing to lean back on, Pakistan will be happiest to not see Rahul Dravid walking out. It leaves the middle order thin rather than lean, especially given the presence of five openers in the squad.

Perhaps they can pass on the surplus to Pakistan. New era, new captain and coach, same opening strife: Pakistan went through five openers and three combinations in five matches against South Africa and are still likely to draw names from a hat come the first ODI. In fact, their batting has rarely been as brittle as this, relying essentially on Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf, with a little help from Shoaib Malik, the captain.

But even as it has become a pre-tour ritual for at least one Pakistan fast bowler to drop out from injury, drugs or bust-ups just before the series, on their bowling still rests the winning and losing of this. In Mohammad Asif's absence, Shoaib Akhtar will carry much the attack and though he is eminently capable, never before has it been as important for him to remain fit and preferably confined to his hotel room with no possibility of mischief.

Just in case, the force is strong with Umar Gul and Iftikhar Anjum presently, especially the latter who provides, as first change, an adept, thoughtful option. India hasn't suited Afridi the bowler, but his craft is at its peak and strong enough to make up for his batting. As vital as the fast men will be Afridi's middle-overs spread.

For once, however, India's pace is in comparably rude health. Zaheer Khan and RP Singh's bowling is a different game from when Pakistan last played them in an ODI. Zaheer is leaner and wiser, more rounded and a better bowler. RP is broader, quicker, bouncier, spikier and altogether more dangerous. Behind them, Sreesanth will dance, pump fists, sledge, stare and occasionally bowl mean spells. But it says much for their strength that India choose to play without Munaf Patel, who is possibly the most gifted of them all.

Will fielding make a difference? Both sides are bad enough for it to cancel itself out, as Sanjay Manjrekar points out in Cricinfo's Round Table. But leadership will. Both captains are young, both have had their honeymoons and both have been brought back to earth swiftly by vastly superior sides.

Dhoni feels the more settled, if only because his place in all forms is unquestioned. Malik, meanwhile, is still gamely battling off lingering doubters. It is also easier to be a young captain of India than to be one of Pakistan. Malik's calm will come in handy in times of stress, as will Younis as deputy. Dhoni's feistiness, his wily, upmarket sadak chaap bravado will serve him likewise.

As parting, heed this: if this were on paper, you would be wise to crumple it and chuck it away. So turn off the monitor instead, for come tomorrow all of it and none of it will matter.