The Indians have sent instructions to the ground staff at the Green Park in Kanpur to roll out a spinning track for the third test starting next Sunday, a team source said here Monday.
``Yes, the captain and manager are keen the match be played on a turner,'' the source said. ``They want a wicket that will help their spinners.''
The Indians were unhappy they were given an even-paced wicket at the Eden Gardens here where South Africa scored an emphatic 329run win to level the three-match series.
India's enviable home record of 12 wins in 17 tests since 1990 came on designer wickets that aided their traditional strength in spin bowling.
Their demand for an under-prepared track increased after South African pace spearhead Allan Donald flew home on Monday after being ruled out of the third test with a bruised left heel and toe.
The tourists, however, are not worried at the prospect of a spiteful wicket, similar to the one in the first test in Ahmedabad where they crashed to a 64-run defeat.
``We are not surprised that the Indians have asked for a turner,'' coach Bob Woolmer said. ``We expected that...we are ready to face the challenge.''
``The boys have played a lot of spin on the tour and are not worried. As hosts, India have the right to prepare what they want.''
Woolmer said Donald was sent home to rest for the return series against the Indians later this month.
``We do not want to aggravate the injury to our main bowler,'' he said. ``He should be fit by the time the Indians reach South Africa.''
The Indians are scheduled to arrive in South Africa on December 19 for a three-test series which opens at the Kingsmead in Durban on December 26.
Woolmer said Donald's absence from the Kanpur test will not affect the team's chances.
``We won here despite Donald not taking the field in India's second innings. The others have proved they are good enough to make up for his absence.''
Debutant pace bowler Lance Klusener fashioned the win with a sensational haul of eight for 64 after going wicketless in the first innings.
The South Africans will test their reserve strength when they take on India's A team in a three-day match starting in Nagpur on Tuesday.