MELBOURNE, Dec 20: Rahul Dravid is likely to open India’s innings in next week’s first Test in a bid to blunt the effectiveness of Australia’s bowling with the new ball.

Despite not having opened in a Test since January 2006, and struggling in that role in the past, Dravid may be given the key job of building a foundation for India’s powerful middle-order in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Dravid batted superbly at No.3 in the last 2003-04 series in Australia, when he averaged 123.80 for the series, including scoring 233 in Adelaide.

But the former captain opened the innings against Victoria at the Junction Oval here on Thursday after the tourists opted against playing specialist openers, Virender Sehwag and Dinesh Karthik. Dravid finished the rain-interrupted first day unbeaten on 33.

But Dravid, 35, will face a stiff examination opening against Australia, as he has averaged 33.55 in 13 Test innings in the role, well down from his career average of 55.97.

“Having a good opening start is pretty critical in Australia, whoever does the job,” Dravid said. “As we showed last time, if we can get through the early part against the new ball without the loss of too many wickets we’ve got the kind of batting and people who can make it count later on.—AFP