Yuvraj preparing for new role

With skipper Sourav Ganguly declaring him as the first choice opener for Tests, Yuvraj Singh said he would prepare for the new role with a changed mindset and utilise the opportunity to score big knocks.

"It's going to be a change in the batting order, and I have to go up the order. I am going to prepare for it; I will practise with the new ball. It's a different challenge," he said on the sidelines of the camp for Asia Cup probables in Bangalore.

"I think it's an advantage because if one sees through the new ball, one can also score big runs. So, I am looking forward to the challenge," said the left-hander who has played four Tests so far.

Strongly backing him for the opener's role, Ganguly had said that Yuvraj was a class act, had the ability and mindset to open and should not be kept out of the team.

Asked if he would be changing his batting style for his new role, he said, "It's not going to be much of a change about style. It's just to see off the new ball and (then) play your shots. I think it's the change of mindset (that's needed)."

Yuvraj also said he would try to follow in the footsteps of Virender Sehwag, who was also promoted from the middle-order to the opener's spot.

"He (Virender Sehwag) has set a very good example. He has done tremendously in the opener's slot. So, if I can do the same and be as successful as Sehwag, it would be good for the team," he said.

Asked if he will return to the middle order if he did not succeed in the new role, he said: "When you play cricket at international level, you don't think about ifs and don'ts.  Whatever the situation, you have to go through it, and be positive about it."

Yuvraj paid credit to senior players for the success of youngsters like him, Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan, and said they took the pressure away from them.

"They make us feel very good, and they don't put much of pressure on us. We gel together very nicely," he said.