Classic contests within the contest

A few high-voltage individual battles could make things exciting in the three-Test India-Pakistan series that begins on Thursday.

Shoaib Akhtar vs Rahul Dravid:
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This is a classic cricketing confrontation. Power, speed and swing versus purity of method and temperament. Sparks could fly when Akhtar bowls at Dravid. Akhtar is gradually regaining his rhythm, while Dravid’s form is looking up if his domestic exploits are any indication.

In the Rawalpindi Test in 2004, Akhtar sent down a blistering spell with the new ball but was blunted by Dravid’s resilience at No. 3. It turned out to be the decisive duel of a historic series. If Dravid holds firm against Akhtar’s thrust, the host will be hard to beat.

Sachin Tendulkar vs Umar Gul:
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V.V.S. Laxman’s bemused look is fresh in mind. Gul delivered a ball from wide of the crease which straightened and breached the Indian’s defence in the Lahore Test of 2004. This was a real high quality delivery.

Now, Gul has added speed and fitness to his skill. His run-ins with the in-form Sachin Tendulkar are bound to be significant. Gul can be crafty with the older ball too and it is here that India will require Tendulkar’s technical excellence in the middle-order. This is a battle that can witness momentum shifts.

Anil Kumble vs Mohammad Yousuf:
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For Pakistan, Kumble is a bad memory. The leg-spinner’s subtle variations, which have consumed the Pakistani batsmen in the past, threaten to do so again. The Indian captain’s match of skills with the solid Yousuf could set the tone for the series.

Yousuf uses the width of the crease in a precise fashion and is a fine player of spin. He also has the precious ability to milk the spinners with singles that could prevent Kumble from creating the pressure. Once set, Yousuf can ease his big shots through the gaps. Kumble faces a challenge but so does Yousuf.

Zaheer Khan vs Younis Khan:
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Here are two key cricketers. Given his ability to swing the ball away or bring it back, Zaheer is a threat to the right-handers. How Zaheer bowls to Younis, expected to bat No. 3, can be critical to the outcome. Younis is strong on the off-side. He also tends to rock back on to his back-foot.

The left-arm paceman will strive to have Younis caught at the crease with the delivery straightening into the right-hander.

He may also seek to get Younis on to the front foot by pitching the ball up and then the dreaded away movement could do the damage. Younis will have other thoughts...a perfect square-drive maybe.

Danish Kaneria vs Sourav Ganguly:
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Ganguly is one of the cleanest strikers of the spinning ball. The left-handers do have certain inherent advantages against the left-armers and the leggies since they can strike with the spin. But then, Kaneria has an effective googly and could test Ganguly with a slip in place and should be an exhilarating contest.