NEW DELHI, Feb 5: With Pakistan set to tour India, Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly on Saturday said he was not scared of speedster Shoaib Akhtar's bouncers.

"I am not afraid of Shoaib's bouncers. These are part and parcel of the game to which one has to adjust," Ganguly, who has a distinct weakness against rising ball, told Aaj Tak TV channel.

"If you notice, I have never been bowled out by a bouncer in my entire career!" left-hander said in "Sourav Ka Sixer" programme aired on Saturday.

He claimed Yuvraj Singh was "never considered for opener's position", contradicting statements made by him last year.

"During Pakistan tour (2004) when I was injured (for first & second Test), Yuvraj played at the No. 6 position, and when I returned he played No. 7. His name was never considered for opener's position," he said.

Ganguly had gone on record last year to say that Yuvraj was a better choice than Aakash Chopra, whose batting he described as slow. Of six Tests that Yuvraj has played, he opened innings twice.

Skipper also backed Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir as No. 1 opening pair. "Sehwag and Gambhir are our permanent opening pair. Sehwag is a great player.

Gambhir has demonstrated great talent during all Test matches he has played," he added.

About wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, who has been replaced by Dinesh Karthik in Test team, he termed his wicket keeping as "excellent".

"Parthiv has done excellent wicketkeeping for Indian team in spite of being just 17 years old. He played very well in both Australia (2003-2004) and Pakistan tour (2004) in toughest of conditions," he said. -PPI