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Former skipper Chandu Borde’s appointment as cricket manager for the England bound team may see India’s best opening pair in One-day Internationals — Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly — opening the batting again.

“It is too early to talk about the combination of the team for the Ireland one-dayers as I have to speak to the team management first but for the success of the team it (Sachin-Sourav opening) could be a likely proposition,” Borde said on Wednesday.

Borde, who was the chief selector when Sachin-Sourav were hailed as the best opening pair in the world, however, said the interest of the team would come first during the 100-day twin tour.

“The first priority would be to knit a winning combination and it really does not matter who opens the batting or bowling as long as the team is winning. As most of the senior players were hand picked during my stint as the chief selector, I am confident that I can motivate them to do well during the tour,” the 72-year-old former Test star said.

When asked whether his absence during the team’s on-going short camp would be a draw back, Borde, replied in the negative.

“It is just a short camp and I don’t think my absence would have any bearing on the camp as there are enough qualified people to oversee the camp during my absence,” Borde said.

To a query whether his advanced age would be a setback to manage the Indian team, Borde, said “I have kept myself very fit by jogging for more than an hour every day and I can assure you that I am fitter than most 50 year-olds”.

The Indian team under Rahul Dravid would be playing 12 one-dayers, including four in Ireland and one in Scotland, and a three-match Test series in England.