The legspinners come to Multan

The advance Indian delegation that visited Pakistan to assess the various facilities sung praises of the cricket stadium at Multan. It's easy to understand why. Much like the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium at Mohali, this facility is built with the comforts of spectators and cricketers in mind. The outfield is lush green, the stands are well laid out, and the off-field resources are state-of-the-art. There's every indication that this is a great place to play and watch cricket. And, after a one-day series where run flowed like the Brahmaputra in spate, there might be some respite for the bowlers. Anil Kumble and Danish Kaneria, the two spinners likely to play, certainly thought so.

Neither Kumble nor Kaneria played the one-day series - Kumble, because he was resting a strained shoulder, and Kaneria, because he is not considered a one-day cricketer. For both, the chance to step back into the groove and deliver at the highest level is a finger-licking prospect. And Kumble is no stranger to layoffs. "At this level one you have to make those adjustments," said Kumble, about coming back from injury. "I think I can, as it wasn't a major injury that I suffered. It was only a strain, and because of my previous history I had to be careful. I hope I don't take long to settle into my rhythm."

Kumble did exceptionally well in the last Test series he played, in Australia, and though this series is not quite the same, he knows that he will be helped by that performance. "Playing any country away is very challenging. It's good that we did really well in Australia. Everyone knows how good they [Australia] are. These are different wickets and conditions. I'm looking forward to taking the positives from Australia into this series."

Having said that, Kumble is no stranger to success against Pakistan. His 10 for 74 against Pakistan at the Ferozeshah Kotla in 1999 was a masterly effort, and one that caught Kaneria's eye. "I saw him take ten wickets against us," said Kaneria. "But I don't really see him as a leggie. He mostly bowls googlies and flippers. There's always a contest between two spinners. He is a lot more experienced and I'm just starting out."

Experienced or not, it certainly helps to have a good wicket to bowl on. Kaneria has had success at Multan in the past, when he took 12 wickets against Bangladesh in 2001-02. This time around, the wicket has a tinge of grass on it, but as I write these words, ground staff are eyeing it, clippers, scrapers, brushes and razors at the ready. "It looks a good wicket," said Kumble. "I think it will be a good Test wicket. Initially there'll be something in it for the fast bowlers, and then there'll be some assistance for spinners." Kaneria, for his part, said that he was keen to have a go at the batsmen. "As a bowler, I'm looking forward to being a match-winner. But, there are times when there's nothing happening for you and you have to contain the batsmen. It depends on the match situation, really."

Containing India's batsmen by bowling spin is not an exercise you want to depend on. Unless, of course, you're Ashley Giles bowling into the rough outside the leg stump, from over the wicket, with a packed leg-side field. Kaneria is not that sort of bowler. "Kaneria is an attacking bowler," said Kumble. "He's a very good prospect and has done well for Pakistan. As a legspinner, you have to be attacking all the time. That is important."

Recently reports surfaced about Saqlain Mushtaq, the other Pakistani spinner in the series, developing a "teesra", in addition to his "doosra", the latest in the long line of mystery deliveries that modern spinners are obsessed with. Far from dismissing this development, Kumble reinforced the importance of variations. "The names are not important, but it's important to have variations. With the amount of technology around now, every international cricketer looks at everyone else, and you know how someone plays. You can get to see everything around the world."

Anand Vasu is assistant editor of Wisden Cricinfo, and will be following the Indian team throughout this tour.