As like most people in India, I am an avid supporter / follower of Indian cricket and Team India. I celebrate every victory and mourn every loss and I am passionate about it. I have played some cricket for my school, college, club and then employer to know the basics. One important thing every player / sportsman keeps in mind is that we play to win the game / match that we are playing now. Although future games are always in the bigger scheme of things, nobody prepares for today's game with tomorrow's game in mind.

As with most, I follow my cricket now on Cricinfo and read most of the articles on the website with keen interest. Over the years I have developed a strong respect for the experts / commentators and contributors to the website. But one recent article at the conclusion of fourth day's play of the second test between India and Pakistan made me think.

Never have I seen a series that is played with the next series in mind. Every series is played to win it and I am sure that there won't be any one who would disagree with that logic.

An author, Anand Vasu, who is also the associate editor at Cricinfo wondered whether India were shooting themselves in the foot by playing on slow and turning pitches as they had a tough next assignment in Australia. Traditionally spin and spinning wickets at home have been India's greatest strength (apart from strong batting) and it was quite natural and in fact correct to play on the slow and turning wicket at Eden Gardens for several reasons:

1. India were playing against the arch-rival Pakistan and to lose to Pakistan at home is unthinkable.

2. This is Kumble's first series as captain and he for one definitely won't like to lose it.

3. If India were to lose the series, it would be same media (and most likely the same columnist) who would chastise India and demand that their heads roll at the end of the series.

Now the Bangalore test is just around the corner and the same people are now wondering whether the conditions (overcast, humid and green wicket) are to Pakistan's advantage who have a better seam attack to exploit the conditions. I wonder what would have happened had there been a bouncier, quicker wicket with lots of grass and had India lost at Kolkata.