Indian cricketers Anil Kumble (left) and Harbhajan Singh look on during a practice session a day ahead of the third and final Test against South Africa in Kanpur, yesterday. - AP

KANPUR, India (AP):

INDIA AND South Africa enter the third and final Test today with the series on the line, and having to deal with the threat of a reported terrorist plot against the match.

Security was bolstered after police sources said that they had intelligence of a planned attack in the northern Indian city by Islamic terrorists.

Despite the threat, both teams must attempt to concentrate fully on a game that will decide the series. South Africa lead 1-0 after two Tests, having drawn the series opener and won the second by an innings and 90 runs - India's heaviest home defeat since 1959.

The dry surface of the Green Park Stadium's pitch was already displaying cracks yesterday on the eve of the Test, bringing smiles to the Indian team, which expected the drying track to aid its spinners while negating South Africa's in-form seamers.

Having seen the pitch, India were considering playing three spinners, with Ramesh Powar and youngster Piwush Chawla options to join ace spinners Harbhajan Singh and captain Anil Kumble. South Africa captain Graeme Smith said the tourists may also play a second spinner, with Robin Peterson an option to partner Paul Harris.

Kumble uncertain

Kumble is again uncertain to play due to a lingering groin injury, and faces a fitness test today, and Smith said questions about his opposing captain's availability further bolstered South Africa.

"We're definitely more confident going into this Test match," Smith said. "We're the team under less pressure. India is the team with more question marks, in terms of selection, in terms of injuries and in terms of being 1-0 down in the series."

South Africa, who are one of two teams to have defeated India in a home series in the past two decades, will move to No. 2 behind Australia in the ICC's Test rankings if they can avoid defeat in Kanpur.

"The fact that only two teams have beaten India in India during the last 20 years proves how tough the Indian tour is," Smith said.

"Our team waited a whole season before coming to the subcontinent, first beating Pakistan and then Bangladesh," said Smith. "Now, we're prepared to go into this Test and play the same brand of cricket."

Indian morale eroded

By dominating India in the second Test - including bowling them out for a dismal 76 in the first innings - Smith's side had eroded India's morale, but Kumble expected his home side to hit back.

"We have always come back strongly when pushed against the wall, we are hoping to do that again over the next five days," said Kumble.

Along with the captain, there was also doubt over the readiness of India's pace spearhead Ishant Sharma, who was declared fit after an extensive workout in the nets yesterday. Sharma has not played since the tour of Australia ended two months ago.

Line-ups

India (from): Anil Kumble (captain), Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Mahendra Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Shantakumaran Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Piyush Chawla and Ramesh Powar.

South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Neil McKenzie, A.B. de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, Jean-Paul Duminy, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher, Morne Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson and Monde Zondeki.