If ever evidence was needed for hard work and perseverance paying off in the end, it is in the case of Robin Singh whose two stints in One-Day cricket were separated by seven years and who was never seen as Test material, until today.

Though coach Anshuman Gaekwad has far from committed himself on Robin Singh's selection, offering only 12 names for the game tomorrow, it is very much on cards he would be preferred ahead of Debashish Mohanty because home team coach Dave Houghton promises a green top for the Test.

India, as has been its wont, prefers to strengthen its batting on lively tracks and Gaekwad was willing to concede as much, ``in such a scenario, Nayan Mongia opens with Navjot Sidhu and Robin Singh bats at number seven''.

Robin Singh, who only the other day conceded his part of the competitive tour was over, after the three One-Dayers of theHero Honda series, is suddenly back in the picture and is quite pleased at the turn of events.

``Even though I played three One-Dayers here, my only innings in the middle was in the last game,'' said Robin Singh, ``That too coming after the Nidahas Trophy final against Sri Lanka on July 7 this year.''

The gutsy Tamil Nadu cricketer will thus fulfil the role of an all-rounder, so sorely missed since the days of Manoj Prabhakar and so bemoaned in public time and again by both Azharuddin and Gaekwad.

Robin Singh was given a prolonged spell with the ball in the nets today and managed to get deliveries to rear up from short of good length spot, so fired up did he appear.

The other debutant for India in this game, Ajit Agarkar, took it easy and jogged in to bowl only when Sachin Tendulkar appeared to take guard.

Tendulkar is not without a target in this game either. The batting genius, who has been scourge of bowlers this year, is all primed to aim for his maiden double hundred. This thought is not farfrom his mind and, when asked, he expressed a silent wish.

More expressed is the possibility of Anil Kumble reaching the milestone of 200 Test wickets in this game, he being only three short of the target. This makes the Karnataka leggie look forward to the Test, the 47th of his career.

Meanwhile, Mohd Azharuddin is nursing his own silent ambition. ``It is time we start winning abroad,'' said the most successful of all Indian captains. ``And I go into tomorrow's match eyeing a win.''

He is aware India has won only 13 of its 149 Tests abroad.

``Believe me, I have never gone into a Test with an aim to draw it,'' says Azhar. ``And to draw it to what end?''

``In order to win a Test, you must take chances, which I do,'' says Azhar, ``This Test will be no different.''

Houghton, on his part, promises an all-out effort by his side to win the Test starting tomorrow. ``Draws serve no purpose. It is better to have a record of eight losses and two wins rather than play ten boring draws,'' says Houghton.``Draws are not going to help Zimbabwean cricket.''

Houghton revealed the Test will mark the arrival of Neil Johnson into the Zimbabwe side. The promising youngster, who has been playing for Natal for four years, is now qualified to play for Zimbabwe. ``Indeed Johnson's papers were cleared a week ago but we wanted to settle in every paper work and other formalities,'' Houghton said.

Johnson, who was kept under wraps by Houghton in the three-dayer against the Indians last week, except for a couple of overs when Anil Kumble was nearing his hundred, is rated by many as a very active bowler-cum-batsman of quality, always wanting to be in the thick of action. Even Kumble, who faced him briefly for a few deliveries in the game, was impressed.

Says Houghton, ``Apart from Johnson and Heath Streak, we have also decided to bring back Henry Olongo for tomorrow's Test.'' Olongo, who has not played in the One-Dayers, is quick but erratic. When on song, he has troubled the best of batsmen.

Defending the likelihoodof a green wicket, Houghton says there is no point in packing the team with spinners.

``We have seen in the past that batsmen from sub-continent, irrespective of the fact whether they are up against quality spinners or the wicket is favouring turn, are generally good against slow bowlers. There is no point in playing to their strength. On this wicket, the spinners are unlikely to have any help. Our quicks should be able to attack the Indian batsmen,'' said Houghton.

Houghton is also not wary of India's traditional strength in batting, exemplified in the last Test series against Aussies when they managed to get 400-plus totals in almost all innings. ``I have heard about it but I am not worried. Remember, this is Zimbabwe and we have the advantage of playing in home conditions.''

India and Zimbabwe have played only two Tests so far with the former winning the second in Delhi in 1993 by a huge margin. The inaugural one at Harare in 1992 was drawn.

TEAMS (from):

India: Mohd Azharuddin (capt),Navjot Sidhu, Nayan Mongia, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Robin Singh, Ajay Jadeja, Rahul Dravid, Ajit Agarkar, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.

Zimbabwe: Alistair Campbell (capt), Gavin Rennie, Craig Wishart, Andy Flower, Murray Goodwin, Heath Streak, Henry Olongo, Neil Johnson, Adam Huckle, Craig Evans, Andy Whittall and M Mbangwa.

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) and Ian Robinson (Zimbabwe).

Hours of play (IST): 1.00-3.00 pm; 3.40 to 5.40 pm; 6.00 to 8.00 pm.