'Batting order for the Tests is fixed' - Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly has said that India won't be shuffling with its batting order for the Tests, and hinted that Yuvraj Singh may miss out on selection to the final XI.

"Our batting order for the Tests is fixed. There are no changes from No. 3 to No. 6," Ganguly told BBC Sport. "Dravid has batted better than Laxman at No. 3 and if you ask any batsman, he would like to bat higher up, as it gives a greater opportunity to score. While batting lower down the order, you have to play more with the tail."

Ganguly ruled out the possibility of using Yuvraj as an opener. "I feel there is no born opener - the team has to find one. Look at Justin Langer, he was not an opener, but how well the Aussies have groomed him. Virender Sehwag is a settled opener now both in Tests and one-dayers, and Gautam Gambhir is doing well. In a year's time, we should have a settled opening pair."

Sachin Tendulkar, who is back in the side after recovering from his injury, has also received strong support from Ganguly, despite concerns over his fitness and form. "When Sachin says he is 100% fit, he is, and nobody has a right to talk about the form of a man who has 70 international hundreds." Tendulkar will bat at his customary No. 4 position, with Ganguly at No. 5.

Throwing light on the bowling composition for the first Test at Mohali, Ganguly said, "In Kumble and Harbhajan, we have two world class spinners and at the moment there is no place for a third one. Our seam attack had done particularly well during the Pakistan tour last year, and we will select the final XI after having a look at the wickets in Mohali, which has had a record of a seaming track."

Ganguly is also not under-estimating the Pakistan bowling-up, which is weakened in the absence of Shoaib Akhtar. "I feel Pakistan has a young and fit team, which is hungry for success. In my view they have done the right thing by bringing a fit team, rather than bringing injured players It is better to have a fully fit team than having an injured Shoaib Akhtar or even Don Bradman for that matter."

He added, "I do not agree with those who say Pakistan's team is weak and has given India a walkover. It will be a tough series and the next 50 days will be a treat for fans of both sides."