After the draw at Bangalore, all eyes will be on the strip of 22-yards at the PCA Stadium here, venue of the second India-Australia Test. And, going by what chief curator Daljit Singh says, there is bound to be a smile on Ricky Ponting's face: seamers and not spinners will have a big role to play.

"This has been an unusual season and we have seen heavy rains in this part of the country. Honestly, the pitch and ground preparations have been hampered," Daljit admits. "We are trying our best to have a hard and dry wicket with consistent bounce."

As always, and more so now with winters around the corner, fast bowlers will find movement both on and off the wicket. "We can see the data. The morning sessions are always loaded in favour of seamers while the pitch eases out as the game goes on. We have a few days left and I hope the sun shines," Daljit said.

"I think bowlers can exploit the bounce at this wicket, resulting in batsmen edging deliveries. Also, there would be no reverse-swing here as we don't have a rough outfield," he added.

The pitch would also keep the Indians engrossed in a debate over the final XI. Will India go in with the two spinner and two pacers theory or go for a third pacer? Even though Anil Kumble has picked up two Man of the Match awards here, his shoulder injury is a concern. "I feel he enjoys the bounce here and, if he is fit, he would love to bowl," Daljit felt.