Gambhir to open with Ganguly

Sachin Tendulkar will bat down the order in the first one-day international against the WI in Nagpur tomorrow.

It will be the left-handed combination of Sourav Ganguly and Gautam Gambhir that will open the Indian innings in the first of the four one-day internationals against the West Indies at the Vidarbha Cricket Association ground in Nagpur on Sunday.

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The decision had been taken keeping in mind that the middle-order will be crucial for India's chances at the World Cup in the Caribbean and Sachin Tendulkar's experience would come in handy in this regard, skipper Rahul Dravid said at a media conference before the match.

"The team needs to cover all eventualities and we think the middle-order will be key at the World Cup," Dravid said, adding that Tendulkar had agreed to bat down the order.

The team also had to prepare for the possible non-availability of Yuvraj Singh as the Punjab left-hander is recuperating from an ankle injury sustained during the Champions Trophy last year.

Dravid also announced the 12 players shortlisted for tomorrow's game, with all-rounder Joginder Sharma, left-arm seamer RP Singh and Karnataka batsman Robin Uthappa being left out.