The southern hemisphere has never been kind to the Indian cricketer, andit is possible that some are approaching the Standard Bank Triangular with a touch of dread. In reality, it is the chance of a lifetime.

The World Cup in South Africa is 18 months away, so this will hardly be a sneak preview of the conditions, or a form barometer of sorts. It will, however, separate the men from the boys, as well as turning some of the boys into men. And it is the ideal time and place to give shape to a plan leading up to the World Cup. It wouldn't be terribly disappointing if India don't take the trophy. But it would be a pity if they let their shoulders droop, crumble into a state of panic and end up making a hash of this excellent learning opportunity.

India have a few things to sort out. The most critical decisions will revolve around the batting order. Fitness permitting, Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar will probably open in the first match, against South Africa at Johannesburg tomorrow. But there are several questions for John Wright to consider. Is it wise to cultivate a batting order that is so top-heavy? Would he trust Yuvraj Singh, Reetinder Sodhi, Virender Sehwag who will still be only 22, 23, and 24 in 2003, to man the lower order? If yes, he must give them a fair run at those positions in difficult conditions. If not, the scintillating Tendulkar-Ganguly combination will remain little more than a feel-good factor for India.

India's margin for error against South Africa, in all departments of the game, is virtually nil. South Africa have an 11-3 wining record in one-day matches this year, and have lost only four of their 22 home matches since January 2000. Their batting line-up has elements of common-sense - Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis; depth - Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher; flair - Herschelle Gibbs; and innovation - Jonty Rhodes.

Their bowling line-up for the first two matches looks mean, and will take on a more menacing shade when Allan Donald and Mfuneko Ngam are called up. And they are the best fielding side in the world.

To beat them, India's pace bowlers - Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Ajit Agarkar and Harvinder Singh - would have to cut down drastically on the four-balls, the fielders will need to hold their chances, and Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Ganguly will need collectively to make more than 89 runs, the sum of their career one-day averages in South Africa.

Kenya are the third team - and are bound to finish third as well. They do have a few flair players in Steve Tikolo, Maurice Odumbe and Kennedy Otieno, but to steal a win they would need an outstanding day, and India a horrible one. If they manage to beat South Africa, Odumbe and Tikolo will be promoted from captain and vice-captain to president and vice-president.

The format of the tournament leaves a crack in the door open for India. South Africa could win six out of six league matches and lose the final, like they occasionally did under Hansie Cronje. But by losing their last eight one-day finals, India have managed to concede that edge too.

Squads

South Africa (from)
Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock (capt), Mark Boucher (wkt), Justin Kemp, Claude Henderson, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini

India (from)
Sourav Ganguly (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Shiv Sunder Das, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Jacob Martin, Yuvraj Singh, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Deep Dasgupta (wkt), Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Harbhajan Singh, Venkatesh Prasad, Harvinder Singh

Kenya (from)
Ravindu Shah, Kennedy Otieno (wkt), Steve Tikolo, Maurice Odumbe (capt), David Otieno, Collins Omondi, Peter Ochieng, Martin Suji, Tony Suji, S Gupta, Joseph Angara, Brijal Patel

Rahul Bhattacharya is a staff writer for Wisden Online India.

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