Sunil Gavaskar said that India should play three openers to counter the new-ball threat and in the light of the average opening partnership, post 2000, at Lahore being just 35.63, that doesn't seem a bad idea. However, the partnerships for the second and third wicket are 53.81 and 70.33, an indication that after seeing off the new ball, batting becomes a lot easier.Finally, how vital is the toss going to be? In 25 of the 36 Tests played at Lahore, the captain that won the toss has opted to bat. But that decision has resulted in a win only three times as opposed to the 10 losses and 12 draws. But the team deciding to field first has won four and never lost any of their 11 Tests.