Thursday, June 29 2006 14:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kingston (Jamaica): India are once again in a quandary over team combination as they approach the fourth and final cricket Test beginning here tomorrow with the ambition of clinching their first series win in the Caribbean in 35 years.

The curator of the Sabina Park has dished out a pitch that will be to the faster bowlers' liking but it is still no guarantee that the match will throw up a winner and break the series deadlock.

But both India and West Indies enter the fray without the conviction that they have the will or the firepower to undo the stalemate after the first three Tests ended in a draw. The only ones to have gained in the past one month are the batsmen and runs have been piled by tons.

Five of India's top six now have a century apiece under their belts. For West Indies, three of the top six have done similarly though the likes of Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels have not missed the honour by much.

Ironically, India's dilemma is not because the team is overflowing with talents. It is because they have a hazy outlook. The fear of losing is bigger than the joy of winning.

It may disappoint millions back home but the Indians are preferring progress over ambition.