Colombo, Aug. 19: India are trying a new opening combination in Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, and experts are not against the idea. While former Indian leg-spinner L. Sivaramakrishnan gave the thumbs up to this experiment, former England captain Tony Greig was a bit circumspect in his assessment.

"There is no harm in trying your two best players to form a solid opening partnership. Obviously the team management is doing this with an eye on the Champions Trophy and the World Cup. And I think it will augur well for the side," Siva, who is here as a TV commentator, told this newspaper on Saturday.

He explained: "Tendulkar has come back from a layoff. Opening has been his normal position. So any question in this regard is unnecessary. Rahul and Ricky Ponting are two most consistent performers in world cricket today. He has adjusted to the new role in the ODIs superbly. The idea is to give him the chance to play full 50 overs as the team’s batting revolves around him. Sachin will play his shots and Rahul will rotate the strike. If they can do it consistently, more often then not India will reach 300."

Asked whether it was wise to drop Virender Sehwag down the order even when overs were curtailed, Siva said: "It’s not that Sehwag will not get his chances at all. In fact, his presence will give more solidity and flexibility to the middle order. And he can destroy any bowling even when the field is spread out."

Greig, who is also here in the same capacity, sounded cautious. "I have seen them (Sachin and Rahul) play for only three overs. It won’t be right to make any assessment on that basis. But they (the Indian team management) must have done this with some specific plan in mind. In any case, the duo brings class to the crease."