Diwali, this year, is expected to get that more explosive as India and Pakistan face off on Saturday at the Eden Gardens to mark the Platinum Jubilee of the BCCI. This is India's fourth meeting against their arch-rivals since the Asia Cup in July. Pakistan have beaten India on all three occasions and it's about time India set the record straight.
 

Though the match is seen an as a means to improve the goodwill between the two countries, any Indo-Pak encounter cannot be taken lightly either by the spectators or the players themselves. This is Pakistan's first visit to India since 1999 and hence the spectators would be that much more eager to see the Pakistani giants take on the Indian tigers. Also playing more and more against each other can help diffuse the tension among the spectators of the two countries, who may slowly begin to accept defeat as part of the game even if it is against their arch-rival.
 

With Sourav Ganguly fit for the crucial tie, it would be interesting to see who opens with Sehwag on Saturday. The Indian skipper hasn't been in the greatest nick (but neither have most of the others). But the little hit-out in the Ranji Trophy game against Karnataka should help him. There were some signs of Sachin and Laxman hitting form at Mumbai, which augurs well for the future games. Sachin, especially, looked ominous during his stay and hence must be given a chance to open against Pakistan. Ganguly, on the other hand, can come lower down in the order and take the attack to the spinners if he gets in. It is also a chance for Rahul Dravid to get some crucial runs under his belt prior to the crucial series against the Proteas.
 

Parthiv Patel might have been dropped. But India's dilemma regarding the wicketkeeping slot continues. Rahul Dravid has been keeping non-stop for India since last year. But now with Dinesh Karthik in, it's about time he is relieved of his keeping duties. For that to happen, Ganguly will have to sacrifice his tactic of going in with seven batsmen and have faith in Karthik's abilities with the bat.

While Dinesh Karthik finds a place in the squad, another Karthik (Murali) was extremely unlucky to be left out despite putting up a great show in the last two Tests against Australia. Karthik took five wickets at Nagpur and followed it with a match-winning performance at Mumbai that earned him the 'Man of the Match' award. The selectors have been excessively unfair to the left-armer over the past couple of years. Earlier this year, he played in the one-day series against Pakistan when India toured the neighbouring country. He did not do too badly and yet never got another chance to play for India until Harbhajan went down with viral fever on the eve of the Nagpur Test. By dropping him, the selectors are making a clear statement that they are looking at him purely as a Test player, which shouldn't be the case. Karthik has done enough over the years to prove that he is a good bowler in both formats of the game.
 

It might sound a bit harsh, but the time has come for Kumble to sit back and concentrate only on playing the longer version. He is 34 now and for the sake of Indian cricket and the longevity of his Test career, it is important for Kumble to quit playing the shorter format. This is exactly what Shane Warne is doing and is reaping rich rewards for it. Kumble has done yeoman service for India for more than a decade now. But he is not getting any younger and with so much of emphasis on fielding these days in one-dayers, India must look to have younger legs in the team. Where India often falters is hesitating in taking brave decisions. This is one of the major differences between them and Australia, the no.1 team. The Australian selectors did not hesitate to drop Mark and Steve Waugh when they felt that they had passed their best. They did not even spare Michael Bevan, the one with the highest average in one-day cricket, once they realised his skills are dwindling. This is not to say that Kumble will not be effective in limited-overs cricket. But India need his services more in the longer format as one-dayers are more batsmen oriented.
 

Kumble's exit will also pave the way for Karthik to find a spot in the team. The left-armer is 28 now and approaching an age at which it is believed cricketers are at the height of their powers. India certainly cannot allow a talent like Karthik to go untapped. It is not often that he will get a chance to play in the Test side with Kumble and Harbhajan around. So he can be better utilised in the shorter version while Kumble fulfills his duties in the longer version.
 

Pakistan, on the other hand, are coming on the back of a mixed result from their last series. They lost the tri-series final at home to Sri Lanka and then managed to hold Sri Lanka to a 1-1 draw in the Test matches. In fact, the whole season has been an up and down one for the Pakistanis. They had one bad game against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup and it led to their exit. Rain marred the Videocon Cup in Holland where they lost to Australia in the final after beating India comprehensively. Then in the Champions Trophy, they once again came face to face with India. In a tight finish, Youhana guided Pakistan to the semi-finals only for the team to capitulate against an under-strength West Indies who eventually went on lift the Trophy.
 

This game gives Pakistan a good opportunity to register their fourth consecutive victory against India. The team led by Inzamam has plenty of talented youngsters who can give the Indians a good run for their money, coupled with the experienced ones who can perform under immense pressure.
 

With a crowd of over 80,000 expected to throng the stadium, the whole atmosphere will be one of a carnival. The game will also see many past captains from both teams being felicitated. A great gesture of appreciation for all the hard slog the skippers had put in for their country.
 

Finally, whoever wins or loses, we will be in for some exhilarating, action-packed cricket. So don't go too far from your television sets come this Saturday.