Test delicately poised !

India needs 124 runs, WI needs 9 wickets within 124 and that is the equation for this Test.

Well, cricket has been defined as a game of glorious vicissitudes and it was proved true yesterday as Ashwin six for brought India back into the match. Pulverising shots by Sammy and Chanderpaul saw WI set India a challenging total of 276, but then Sehwag's brilliant strokeplay seemed to torment the Windies. But then Sammy got the wicket of Sehwag, bringing WI right back into the game. Fortunes fluctuated. But then the Wall ( 30 * ) and Sachin ( 33*) stalled the West Indians with the game hanging delicately in the balance !

Batting fourth is not something desirable and everything depends on Bishoo et al. Let us see whether the ball or the bat will predominate. It will be better to say that India is on the cusp of registering a grand victory !

Cusps can be dangerous and with only Yuvraj, Dhoni and Laxman as recognised batsmen to come, loss of some early wickets can spell doom. Pessimism always raises her ugly head. If Bishoo can strike form as Ashwin did, it can difficult for India.

But India has the greatest run assimilators on the crease. Sachin crossed 15 K runs yesterday and is partnered by the second largest run getter in Tests. They had put on an unbroken 57 run partnership, after a devastating 55 from V Sehwag laid the foundation to chase the 276 run target set by Sammy and Co.

After scoring 15 K, Sachin requires another 67 to register a century of centuries. Can he do it on a turning track? He had done it on turning tracks before. All eyes will be on the Little Master when he takes guard tomorrow morning.

India can pip SA to second position in Tests, if they can beat WI 3-0 and if the Proteas lose to formidable Australia 0-2 in the two Test series. SA is only ahead of India by just one rating point. England is placed first and Australia 4th.

If India wins all the three Test, they can get 119 points. A 2-0 series win will leave India with 118 rating points. while a 1-0 or 2-1 will keep them on 117 rating points.

And a 0-1 series loss against Australia will leave SA on 112 points and a 0-2 series defeat will leave the Proteas to join Australia on 110 rating points. SA will be ranked higher than the Kangaroos when the rating are calculated beyond decimals.