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

That is the debate that is raging among cricketing circles. The United News of India [ Images ], 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 [ Images ], 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 [ Images ] 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 [ Images ] and Wasim Jaffer [ Images ] -- 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 [ Images ] last month.

With inputs from UNI