Will the former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly be inducted in the team as an opener in the first Test against Pakistan starting at the Gaddaffi Stadium in Lahore on Friday?

That is the debate that is raging among cricketing circles. The United News of India, quoting sources, says that Ganguly, a veteran of 86 Tests, will be accommodated in the side as an opener.

The team management believes that Ganguly's experience will come handy against a good Pakistan attack led by Shoaib Akhtar, says the UNI report.

Although Ganguly has had a distinguished role as an opener in one-day internationals, this will be the first time that he will be opening the innings in a Test match.

Ganguly was unceremoniously dropped from the side for the final Test against Sri Lanka and much like his sacking, his inclusion into the team for this tour has been a controversial one.

His inclusion in the starting line up also means that both Gautam Gambhir and Wasim Jaffer -- picked as regular openers in the side -- will have to sit out.

Ganguly was dropped from the Test team after the second Test match against Sri Lanka in Delhi last month.

With inputs from UNI