Chopra dropped, Ganguly might open the innings

RAWALPINDI, Apr 12 (Agencies) : India today expectedly axed opener Aakash Chopra for tomorrow's curical series-deciding Test against Pakistan with skipper Sourav Ganguly indicating that he may open the innings with Virender Sehwag.

"It is a one-off thing.

At the end of the day I am not an opener but if it is required by the team, I will open the innings," Ganguly told reporters here on the eve of the match while announcing the playing eleven.

"It is only for this match.

Yuvraj is in good form and it will be difficult to shift a guy from his position in the middle-order.

But in the long run, Yuvraj has to consider himself for opening the innings," he said.

In the only other change from the Indian team that lost to Pakistan in Multan, Ajit Agarkar was replaced by Ashish Nehra.

Ganguly's return to the squad after a brief injury lay-off has resulted in a problem of plenty for the Indians as his substitute Yuvraj Singh slammed a century in difficult circumstances to stake a place in the team.

Chopra unluckily failed in both the innings in Multan.

Ganguly admitted that leaving out Chopra, who has impressed with his solid technique, was "a tough call".

"It was a tough call to leave out Chopra.

It is hard on him as he had done well for us in the past but you cannot keep Yuvraj out as he scored a Test hundred," Ganguly said.

"We have told him that this is just a one-off situation.

He did well in Australia and is still in the sqaud.

When the next series starts, he will be in the team." The skipper, who missed the first two Tests, revealed that the team management had taken into account the possibility of Yuvraj opening the innings while picking the squad for the Tests.

"Obviously when we had picked Yuvraj ahead of Sadagopan Ramesh for the Tests, we had this in mind that he may have to open if necessary," the skipper said but made it clear that the Punjab left-hander was not certain to open the batting.

"It is not decided who will open," he said.

On the decision to drop all-rounder Agarkar, he said, "we thought the conditions here will suit Nehra.

He is bowling very well in the nets and when the conditions are helpful, he can capitalise on it".

Team: Sourav Ganguly (capt), Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Parthiv Patel, Irfan Pathan, Anil Kumble, L Balaji, Ashish Nehra.