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Chopra to open with Sehwag in Nagpur Test
The team management opted to go in with a specialist opener after Yuvraj failed to make much of an impression in the first two Tests.
India on Monday decided to reinstate Akash Chopra at the top of the batting order, leaving out Yuvraj Singh and an in-form Mohammad Kaif for the crucial third cricket Test against Australia beginning in Nagpur on Tuesday.
The team management opted to go in with a speciallist opener in Chopra after Yuvraj Singh failed to make much of an impression in the first two Tests.
Mohammad Kaif was left out of the team to accomodate Sachin Tendulkar, who will return after an injury lay-off which saw him miss the first two Tests of the series.
Captain Sourav Ganguly had earlier indicated that it would be a toss up between Yuvraj and Chopra for the opener's slot.
The selectors decided to give the right-handed Chopra another chance and he will open the innings with Virender Sehwag, team sources said.
The sources said that Mumbai all-rounder Ajit Agarkar would replace injured speedster Irfan Pathan in the team.
Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik could be included in the team if off-spinner Harbhajan Singh fail to recover from a suuden bout of fever.
The viral infection forced the bowler to skip the practice session on Monday and he may not play the Test if the fever persists, the sources said.
"He has a viral infection and we will take a decision on whether to field him in the Test after seeing his condition tomorrow," they said.
