Despite putting on a heroic first wicket stand, skipper Rahul Dravid on Wednesday said opening with Virender Sehwag wasn't a long term solution and part of strategy but refused to confirm whether India will retain the same opening combination for the second Test at Faisalabad starting from January 21.
"I don't think it's a long-term solution but we will have to pick what we think is the best side," he said.
"We will have to see what happens in three-four day's time when the Faisalabad Test starts. We will asses the situation there and then make a decision," added the India captain.
Asked whether he made a statement of leading from the front by opening the innings, Dravid simply said it was a part of strategy.
"There's some strategy there. It's a part of thinking, not bravado. We assess a situation and do what might be the best thing for the team. We try and make decisions based on that."
He also said he might review his bowling combination for the second Test.
"It's hard to criticize the bowlers on this pitch. But, we will review the situation for the second Test. We have a couple of fast bowlers in the reserves and that might be an option depending upon the conditions. We might think of using them in case we need to."
{{/usCountry}}"It's hard to criticize the bowlers on this pitch. But, we will review the situation for the second Test. We have a couple of fast bowlers in the reserves and that might be an option depending upon the conditions. We might think of using them in case we need to."
{{/usCountry}}On the drawn Test, he said batsmen on either side dominated. "Over 1000 runs scored and not many wickets. It wasn't an easy Test for the bowlers on either side. The batsmen on either side had some good batting practice at the start of the series."
Dravid also refused to buy that his boys have gained the psychological advantage over the hosts.
"I am not a great believer in momentum, psychological victories and stuff like that. It really doesn't matter to me. Once the Faisalabad Test starts, no one would think of what that happened in this Test.
"Of course, the only thing we might gain here is confidence. That's it. Other than that, I don't think there is any psychological victory. It really matters little."
Interestingly, Dravid saw no reason to blame the groundsman for the pitch.
"It's easy for people to criticize the groundsman. But, there's no science behind preparing a pitch. As cricketers, even after so many years, we are not sure how a wicket will play," is what the visiting captain has to offer.
"I am sure they also want good wickets. Hopefully, we will get good tracks in the remaining Tests," Dravid said.