BANGALORE, Apr 3: India return to the same setting but face a tough task to re-enact the script of three

years ago at the Chinnaswamy Stadium when they take on buoyant Pakistan in a high-voltage final of the Pepsi Cup triangular limited-over series final here tomorrow, reports PTI.

The time for experiments for the home team is over and they are faced with a daunting task, especially in the absence of injured skipper Mohammad Azharuddin and master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, of stopping the marauding Pakistan team in its tracks in the vital day-night match.

In the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal. India scored an emotionally draining 39-run win over their arch-rivals to spark off nationwide celebrations while the Pakistanis returned

■Home to brickbats arid abuses from their cricket-crasy fans.

Ajay Jadeja, stand-in captain in Azharuddin's absence, has very happy memories of that super charged contest as his swashbuckling 46 helped India post and imposing 287 for eight this time he will be eager to lead from the front in what is certain to be a major moralebooster-in the final run-up to the World Cup campaign in England.

But Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram, who controversially sat out in 1996 citing a shoulder injury, is growing from strength to strength after regaining his crown and is at the helm of a formidable side seeking to avenge that loss.

Saurav Ganguly, still experiencing some stiffness from the blow he received to the rib cage facing paceman Shoaib Akhtar at Mohali. will open the innings with fellow left-hander S Ramesh who has recovered from the back strain he suffered in Pune, coach Anshuman Gaekwad said.

Jadeja will be hoping his batsmen show some determination facing up to the Pakistan pace attack after being shot out for 135 and 196 in crashing to defeats in both their league matches in the current series against Pakistan.

Indian batting, which looked full of aggression and Chutzpah -against the Sri Lankan attack to post 280-plus totals fell apart against Pakistan's superior firepower and the host batsmen must lift themselves up by the bootstraps for India to have a good chance of lifting the crown.

For the first league, they were in full strength barring Tendulkar's absence, but were

dismissed in only 36.1 overs chasing Pakistan's 278.

An under strength side without Azharuddin and key bowlers Javagal Srinath. Anil Kumble and Ajit Agarkar who were rested, succumbed by seven wickets two days ago in Mohali in the inconsequential final league tie.

The much-vaunted batting failed miserably despite Gan-

guly weathering the painful blow from Akhtar to top-score with a sedate 57.

But the frontline bowlers are back, and the Karnataka trio of Srinath, Prasad and Kumble are in a fine position to play an influential role in familiar conditions.

The pitch is expected to provide even bounce and help strokeplay, according to curator Kasturirangan. while the lush green outfield should encourage the fielders.