PTI - Graphic courtesy: rediff.com

Karachi, Jan 28:India is all set to take on Pakistan in the crucial third and final cricket Test in Karachi on Sunday on a result-oriented grassy pitch.

The team management may drop the out-of-form Harbhajan Singh from the playing eleven.

And to strengthen the batting they may induct the experienced Saurav Ganguly in what promises to be a more balanced contest between the bat and ball.

Harbhajan has failed to claim a single wicket in the first two matches, which have produced mammoth totals though the batsmen may not find the going easy this time around.

After the high scoring draws on flat tracks in Lahore and Faisalabad, a result appears to be a distinct possibility in this virtual final as the pitch has a lot of grass which could prove handy for the fast bowlers.

Crucial game

The fitness of captain Inzamam-ul Haq is a worrying factor for the Pakistani camp and it remains to be seen whether the burly batsman, who is down with a back injury, recovers sufficiently to take the field on Sunday.

In case Inzamam rules himself out, the in-form Younis Khan will lead the team at a ground, which has proved lucky for the home team.

Both the sides have not yet announced the team composition for the crucial game and will only decide the playing eleven after having another look at the track in the National stadium.

With the three-match series tied 0-0 after the first two Tests, both the teams are determined to ensure that the best combination is picked for the match.

Focus on pitch

After the batting beauties reduced the first two matches into a farce, the focus is on the pitch and the curator has promised a more sporting strip.

How much grass will be allowed to remain on the track will be known only tomorrow as the groundsmen were seen using a brush to remove the grass from the pitch. But still some green could be seen on the strip.

It would be a problem of plenty for the Indian think-tank as the fit-again Ajit Agarkar, who missed the second match due to a hamstring strain, making himself available for selection along side pacemen Zaheer Khan and Rudra Pratap Singh.

Since Zaheer and RP Singh both performed adequately, with the latter even getting the man-of-the-match award at Faisalabad, it is anyone's guess which three pace bowlers would play.

Toss crucial

The toss could prove crucial as the team that wins it will opt to field first to utilise the early juice in the wicket to the maximum extent.

There would be the sea breeze too to help the swing bowlers to move the ball around to the discomfiture of the batsmen, unlike in the opening two encounters when there was little help for the bowlers on this count too.

The batsmen have so far had everything their way on this tour with scores of plus-500 being the norm rather than the exception, but the deciding Test in this port city is expected to produce a result.

Sachin Tendulkar, who has been out of big runs since scoring his world record-setting 35th Test century, would be hoping that he gets back into the groove as he returns to his debut venue.

Skipper Rahul Dravid has been in superb touch with the bat, with back-to-back hundreds in the first two ties. But Virender Sehwag, after his swashbuckling 254 in Lahore, was hit by a stomach bug that kept him out of the field during the Pakistan second innings at Faisalabad.

The Delhi batsman has recovered fully now and is expected once again to give the innings the rollicking start that takes the initiative quickly form the opposition ranks.

Injury problems

While India go into the crucial tie with all their team members reportedly fit, a few injury cloud hangs over Pakistan involving Inzamam and fast bowler Shoiab Akhtar.

Akhtar, who had strained his ankle in the drawn second Test at Faisalabad, has declared himself fit and is expected to once again spearhead the home team's attack.

Their bowling department has also been strengthened by the inclusion of Umar Gul, who took five wickets at Lahore in the only Test Pakistan won on the last series between the archrivals in this country.

Vice captain Younis Khan holds the key in the batting. With his bustling approach, Younis frustrated the Indians and the Indians would be eager to see him dismissed cheaply to expose the middle order.

Shahid Afridi has been the biggest beneficiary of the Younis-Yousuf partnerships, wading into the Indian attack with gusto with a huge score already on the board. And it would be interesting to see how he copes up with pressure situations if Pakistan are in trouble.

The all rounder has batted with the freedom afforded by a big total backing him and it remains to be seen what he does when faced with more challenging situations.

Pakistan are expected to use a new opening pair in the Test, both left-handers to boot, in Salman Butt and Imran Farbat.

Farhat, named in the second Test squad, was not included in the playing eleven as Butt and Shoaib Malik were given the job to open the innings. Malik's father died on the last day of the Test in his home town Sialkot and he's not available for the series-decider.