The Indian management's approach to the dilemma of who should open the innings can be summed up in two words: confusion and panic. VVS Laxman, who had risked non-selection last year by stating categorically that he should only be considered for the middle order, has been added to list of probable openers for the second Test against South Africa, due to start on November 16. Indian coach John Wright said on Monday that either Laxman, who batted at No 3 in the first Test, or Rahul Dravid would open the innings with SS Das in the second Test at Port Elizabeth.

Wright said this after India's four-day match against South Africa A at East London was abandoned due to unfit ground conditions, making it the second straight practice match which had been called off without a ball being bowled. India's first warm-up game at Chatsworth, before the first Test, was also been abandoned.

Dravid has been a reluctant opener scoring only 13 runs in two innings at Bloemfontein. But Laxman, who fought his way to the Indian middle order with a string of big scores in domestic cricket, wouldn't be thrilled at the prospect either.

Wright hinted that Laxman's lack of runs at No. 3 in the last few matches could have played a part. "We have to look at it this way. Rahul hasn't done any wrong when batting in the middle order, while Laxman hasn't cemented the No. 3 slot," said Wright. "Laxman hasn't got a fifty since the series against Australia, and though the boy is very talented, we have to put some value on Dravid's contention too."

The coach ruled out two other contenders, Virender Sehwag and Connor Williams. Sehwag got a century in his Test debut, and Wright was against exposing him to the new ball "at this stage of his career after he had done so well in the first Test." Williams, the only other regular opener in the squad, hasn't faced a ball on tour, and will not be thrown into a Test unprepared.

This is only the latest in a series of incidents that highlight the panic-stricken manner with which the Indian management has reacted to every crisis. After India lost to South Africa in the first match of the tri-series, Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan were summoned. And when India were embarrassed by Kenya later in the same series, Laxman was flown in to play the last two matches of the tournament.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd