India skipper Sourav Ganguly is seriously reconsidering to go back to the top of the batting order. In the past few years, Ganguly has opened in the absence of either Virender Schwag or Sachin Tendulkar.

And if he decides so, he will open with Tendulkar in the match against Pakistan and Shewag will go down the order.

Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Ganguly said, "As far as fitness is concerned, I am ready to take lite test. But if you personally ask me whether I am fit, I am confident that I can play on November 13."

Officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Kolkata failed to give any proper information as towhen the fitness test will be conducted. Team physiotherapist Andrew Leipus was scheduled to arrive in Kolkata in the afternoon yesterday. But th ere was no information about his arrival till late in the evening.

Boll) Pakistani and the Indian cricketers were also expected to arrive here late at night ,

When asked about Pakistan skipper Inzamamul Haq's threat that they hoped to maintain the winning momentum against the archrivals, the Indian captain said he was not worried.

"The matches at Amsterdam and England were played under different circumstances. 1 am sure that the team will be in an upbeat mood after the recent win against Australia. And the conditions at the Eden Gardens are similar to that we encountered in Pakistan. So, it will be a different ball game altogether."

Meanwhile, betting and bookies, synonymous with an Indo-Pak match, are on al full swing in the capital ofWcst Bengal.

According to the bookies, the odds are 100:175 in favour of Pakistan while they are 100:230 for India. And according to information available from police sources, rupees in excess of five crore will be placed on the match.

A bookie here on Wednesday said, "The rates have bccnSfixcd as per instructions from Mumbai. We operate on their orders. Police have already raided a number of joints famous for placing bets and have arrested seven bookies. Police commissioner, Sujay Chakrabarty said, "More raids will be conducted in the next couple of days. We are keeping a watch on a number of five-star hotels in the cily as well as ona fewother locations.

Approximately 150 guests are expected from Pakistan. Former skipper and now politician Imran Khan has also confirmed that he will be arriving on Saturday morning to watch the game.

Tins will be Imran's first visit to the city since 1989. BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya informal, "Imran Khan will be coming from Hong Kong. We arc now talking with his travel agent to finalise his itinerary.

"Security arrangements have also been beefed up. There will restrictions on the movement of the Pakistani players even though their local counterpartswill be allowed to move around freely."