'Yuvi To Open In Tests'

Skipper Saurav Ganguly categorically stated thatYuvraj Singh would don the role of opener in Test matches and vice-captain RahulDravid would continue to double up as wicket-keeper in one-dayers.

"(Virender) Sehwag never used to open before heopened for India and has done amazingly well as an opener. Yuvraj has got theability to open," Ganguly said when asked about efforts toinclude the southpaw in theTest side as an opener.

"Yuvraj is a class act. His stature and abilityshould not be kept out of the team. I think there is a slot for him as anopener. I am pretty much sure that with his ability and mindset, he willdefinitely get used to it (opener's slot)", he said.

Ganguly said Yuvraj was the first choice "for themoment" considering his ability and the number of games he had won forIndia. He said if Yuvraj did not do well as an opener, then other options wouldbe explored.

In one-dayers, Ganguly said Dravid would continue to keep wickets. "Dravid has helped the team in terms of balanceand batting depth. If you can find somebody who can do the job as good as Dravidhas done in the past two years for the team, then we might start thinking. Butat the moment, he is doing such a wonderful job, we will have to stick withhim."

Asked if he contemplated opening the innings in the shorterversion of the game, he said "It will revolve around Sachin Tendulkar,Sehwag and myself, what suits the team. So, it (opening the innings) isdefinitely not out of the question.

"We will see how it goes, what's the form ofDravid and how well I am playing. All these things we will have to keep inmind," said Ganguly, at the sidelines of the week-long fitness camp for the Asia Cupprobables in Bangalore.

Ganguly expected India to dominate thecoming season, particularly the Test series against Australia and South Africaat home, as most of his teammates were playing their best cricket.

"Let's see how best we play. But I don't see anyreason why we cannot dominate," Ganguly said.

Terming the coming season as an important one, he saidIndia have six Test matches lined up -- four against Australia and two againstSouth Africa. "And then we will keep on playing for the whole of next year.It's a big season, we have to be fit and that's what the fitness camp isfor.

"We played well as a team over the last two years and we need toimprove on that and get better. I think the boys, most of them are playing theirbest cricket. I hope they will continue it in the next 3-4 years." Gangulysaid

The skipper said he was looking forward to Harbhajan Singh's return to the squad intime for the series against Australia.

"Harbhajan is a match winner. Anil's(Kumble) bowling is best seen ever. These are the two main spinners with MuraliKartik coming up." But he hastened to add that one would have to keep inmind the coming ICC Champions Trophy in England where the conditions would suitthe seamers.

When pointed out that the net should be widened tonurture spin talent, Ganguly said if anybody can bowl better than Kumble andHarbhajan, "they are most welcome".

"You never play more than twospinners at home. I never believe in playing three spinners." Ganguly saidthe selectors would give a look-in if they find an exceptional spin bowler inthe camp.

He said the pace bowlers' camp was meant to ensurebowlers like Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar and Avishkar Salvi were fitand strong. Injuries were a part of the job, Ganguly said adding the fast bowlerswere prone to them more because of the rigours involved.

Noting that the fast bowlers have started to play animportant role in overseas tours, the skipper underscored the need to have a group ofseven to eight seamers ready all the time -- not just for the series againstAustralia and South Africa but keeping the future in mind.

PTI