New Delhi, Oct. 28: The Ferozeshah Kotla has been hosting international cricket since 1948 and on Saturday it will achieve another landmark — its first one-day international under lights — when India take on Australia in the third ODI. After successfully staging seven Indian Premier League ties and eight Champions League T20 matches this month, it is the Kotla’s turn to host the world’s top two ODI sides.

"We have been anxiously waiting to host an ODI under lights and it is a matter of great pride for us. I think the DDCA has shown its competence by successfully staging IPL and Champions League matches, and the ODI on Saturday will also be a grand affair," DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan told this newspaper on Wednesday.

However, the most critical element at any venue is the 22-yard strip in the middle.

The relaid pitch came in for severe criticism during the Champions League due to its slow and low nature which led to the paucity of big scores. The wicket for the third ODI will be no different. "The wicket hasn’t had time to settle down. As more matches are played on it, the bounce will improve as we saw in the last few matches of the Champions League. We are sprinkling it with water and heavy rolling it four times a day which should make it firmer," curator Vijay Bahadur Mishra said. But Chauhan still feels that fans will pour in for the match at the 42,000-capacity stadium.

"It is an international match between the top two teams in the world. Of course, the crowd will come in great numbers. The sale of tickets is very promising till now and I am sure the stadium will be packed come Saturday," he said.

On the condition of the wicket, DDCA vice-president said, "There was no delay in relaying the pitch. The late monsoon rains at the end of September upset our calculations as the wicket didn’t get enough time to dry out.

"Also we had brought in expensive Bermuda grass for the new pitch but the ground staff here could not manage it well and it dried out."

Another problem for both sides could be dew as the mercury has dipped significantly in the capital over the last few weeks.

"The dew will be an issue as it was during the Champions League. We used to cover pipes with jute sacks and deployed eight teams to mop the outfield at the fall of each wicket in the tournament.

"But for that to happen in the ODI, we’ll need permission of the match referee. For the time being we’ll be using super soppers during innings breaks and anti-dew spray," Mishra said.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ricky Ponting will have a lot to think about at the flip of the coin come Saturday.