India divided on Dravid as makeshift opener

Although former captain Dravid is willing, so as to enable the team accommodate an extra batsman in the middle-order, some former players feel it would be unwise for team management to affect the balance of the team by unsettling Dravid from the number three slot.

“I think it’s because of forced circumstances but the move will prove to be a double-edged sword for the team,” said former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth.

“It can cut both ways… if Rahul succeeds, great, but if he doesn’t it will badly affect the balance of the team.”

Dravid, 34, has opened in eight of his 115 tests, and although his average in this position is considerably lower than his career average of 55.97, he scored two centuries in this role during the Pakistan tour last year when he was captain.

The tourists are carrying two other openers, but both Virender Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik are searching for form.

Moving Dravid up will help create room in the middle-order to accommodate Yuvraj Singh as an extra batsman after the in-form left-hander strengthened his claim with a blazing century against Pakistan this month.

“The argument will be that Dravid has faced the new ball often when one of the openers is dismissed early,” former Test opener and coach Aunshuman Gaekwad was quoted as saying.

“But believe me, opening the innings requires a completely different mindset. Moreover, if Dravid fails at the top and others in the middle-order score runs, then he will feel the pressure.”

Dravid, who scored 619 runs at an astonishing average of 123.80 during the previous tour of Australia in 2003-04, has struggled to recapture his old form since quitting the captaincy in September.

Former India batsman Gundappa Viswanath was confident that Dravid would cope if asked to don the role in the December 26 Test.

“He’s technically the best batsman in the world. Once he gets in, he stays there,” said Viswanath.

India play four Tests starting at Melbourne on Wednesday.