Now, the fun begins.

"Super Patta" is how Harbhajan described the Chennai wicket. The heat and the flatness of the wicket were the causes identified by Sehwag for India's shoddy fielding. South Africa ended their innings at 540 runs. India, in reply, are 82/0 ( at a RR of 3.9).

All of which point to a boring draw. I dont think so.

In their other two sojourns to the subcontinent ( versus Bangladesh and Pakistan), the longest the Proteas have been on the field has been for 107 overs against Pakistan in their second innings at Lahore. In October last year.

If, as Sehwag says, India plan to bat on till tea on the 4th day, it would effectively mean that the Proteas will have been on the field for around 171 overs.

Three thoughts on if that were to happen :-

1. Graeme Smiths' captaincy will be tested, given that wickets will be hard to come by and his bowlers will tire in the heat. Compound that with the fact that there is a pretty good possibility that the Chennai wicket will open up under the sun on Days 4 and 5 and there is the added pressure of containing the Indian run scoring rate.

2. If India do notch up a lead ( and a lead of even 100 runs should be good enough),Smith the opener will have to ensure a good start for his side ( after spending a good little time in the sun).

3. India and South Africa play back to back to back tests. Given that there will be no lag up in the heat at Ahmedabad and Kanpur, it will be interesting to see how Smith handles the work load of his bowlers - does he over bowl Harris to protect Steyn and Morkel or does he bowl Kallis more or does he give himself an extended spell to rest his premier bowlers?

In their previous encounters with Pakistan and Bangladesh, South Africa weren't stretched. Given that the first two days have been bat-a-thons and there is a similar prospect for Day 3, the onus will be on Graeme Smith on how he marshals his troops while balancing this with gaining any advantage over India.

Which is just fine as far as India are concerned.. Unless there is a collective brain fade or exceptional bowling today, India need to set stall for bed and break fast. And then, on Day 4, bat some more. And then a bit more. And, if we are in a mood for it ( and have the wickets in hand), target 952.

Because, a draw at Chennai is not the end of the world. Losing a series to South Africa after a stellar tour Down Under is. And because, if we assert ourselves over the South African captain and bowlers, we are doing ourselves a huge favor for the rest of the series.