Virender Sehwag, unbeaten on 52, said India plan to bat till the fourth day and take a big first innings lead in a bid to force a win. If they do manage that, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh could come into play on a fifth-day track.

“Cracks will develop on the pitch on the fifth day. We will bat for the next two days to try and get close to their score (540) to put pressure on them. It will be difficult for them to play against Anil (Kumble) and Harbhajan Singh,” the Delhi batsman said.

The placid wicket and hot weather had done the bowlers few favours, he felt.

“Because of the heat, the bowlers have to work harder. People’s expectations are very high and they feel that on such wickets India have Anil and Harbhajan and they will take wickets.

“As for the heat, we all have played here in the past too. Wherever you play in India during March, the conditions are the same. Ahmedabad will be the same and it is going to be much more difficult in Kanpur, where it will be dry heat,” Sehwag said.

India had made a solid start with Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer putting on 82 for the unbroken first wicket.

“Jaffer is batting well. Of his five centuries so far, he has made two double hundreds. You cannot discount his abilities,” he said.