Despite scoring a match-saving 91 against England in the first Test at Nagpur, Mohammad Kaif may find himself out of favour for the Mohali Test.
Yuvraj Singh, having recovered from the hamstring injury, would replace Kaif in the team for the second Test at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium in Mohali, starting on Thursday.
"It's a tough one," said India captain Rahul Dravid on the eve of the match. "But we try to be as honest as possible and tell the person the decision is not an indication of his performance."
"We tell him that he is on out long term plans though he may not find himself in the playing eleven right now because there is a proven performer or a experienced performer."
The competition in the middle order is hotting up, and Kaif and Yuvraj doing well is putting pressure on V V S Laxman to keep his place in the side.
The problem of plenty continues in the bowling line-up too with young medium-pacers like Rudra Pratap Singh and Munaf Patel also staking a claim for an India berth.
"It's a good situation to be in," said Dravid. "There are a lot of choices but there's only 11 we can play. There may be some unfortunate ones who may miss out.
"We haven't decided on the combination yet. We'll see whether we will play three spinners or three seamers. Sreesanth was down with flu for the past couple of days so we will have to assess the situation tomorrow and see what best fits with the plan."
With Sreesanth doubtful for the Test, Munaf Patel is tipped to win an India cap.
There was some confusion over the playing track till Monday, where the groundsmen had offered two wickets. As expected, on Tuesday the bare track was marked and prepared for the Test. Though Mohali is supposed to be one of the fastest wickets in India, the Test may present a different picture.
"Obviously the track is a little different in March. There is a lot more grass in October, November and December but a whole season of domestic cricket has been played out and it's been a warm February. But still we expect it to be bouncier than the one in Nagpur."
The last time England played in Mohali in 2001, they lost the Test by 10 wickets. Harbhajan Singh led India to victory with a seven-wicket haul in the match.
But the English team on this tour has shown tremendous character and stuck to their task despite losing three members of the touring party before the Test series began.
"At no stage were we complacent in the first game. England have done well for the past two years. The way [Alastair] Cook came out and batted for the time he did; the way Monty [Panesar] bowled to our batsmen especially bowling round the wicket, was creditable."
Though Cook and Panesar were making their Test debuts in India, both have toured the country before on different assignments. Dravid thinks the fact that the foreign teams send their younger players to tour the sub-continent highlighted India's growing stature in international cricket.
"The other countries obviously realize that it's a big challenge playing in India. Players also look forward to touring the sub-continent which was not the case in the 1970s and 80s. Other teams are now giving their youngsters exposure to Indian conditions.
"So I don't think the huge home advantage that India used to have earlier exists now."
Dravid added that having seen Panesar and Cook, and first timers in India like Kevin Pietersen, had given them an idea about them and their approach to the tour.
"That's something we'll definitely factor in our plans," he said.
