Play three openers, says Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian captain, has said that India should play three openers to counter Pakistan's new-ball attack in the Test series that begins in Lahore on January 13.

Gavaskar added that India looked the better side and should emerge successful. "I would like to believe we have a good batting as well as a bowling line-up and I would like to suggest that we should play three openers [to cope with Pakistan's pace attack]," he told PTI.

"The tracks in the sub continent are the same. In fact it would suit the Indian bowlers, since they may be green on the top but are soft underneath," said Gavaskar. "These are unlike pitches in Australia where they have green tops but are hard below." With both sides enjoying recent successes in Test and one-day series at home, Gavaskar said that the series would be a closely contested one. "While India beat Sri Lanka and South Africa, Pakistan beat England. So both teams look good."

Wasim Jaffer and Gautam Gambhir are the two openers in the squad vying to partner Virender Sehwag at the top of the order. Both scored useful half-centuries in the first innings and made quick runs in the second in the drawn warm-up game against Pakistan A at Lahore.