Gamble!

There is a strong belief that if India are really keen to win this match, they will have to play five specialist bowlers - including three spinners -- and juggle the batting line-up a bit, even if it means to have a non-regular opener take that responsibility.

Therefore, India would have to include a third slow bowler, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, to exploit the advantage to the hilt. Chawla, who is quite familiar with the Green Park pitch as he plays for Uttar Pradesh, made his debut two years ago in a weather-marred match against England in Mohali. He has not played a second Test though he has appeared in 15 One-Day Internationals.

The selectors have also included off-spinner Ramesh Powar as a standby for Kumble in the inflated 16-member squad - a clear indication of how much the Indian think-tank is relying on spinners for the crucial match.