Patil also clarified that the selectors had chosen three openers and not four in the Indian squad with Murali Vijay being the reserve opener and Ajinkya Rahane being picked as a middle order batsman.
"We have selected three openers, not four. Ajinkya Rahane has been picked as a middle-order batsman. We have tried to provide the captain and the team management with a backup option for all departments. We have an extra spinner, top-order batsman, middle-order batsman and pacer", he said.
Asked whether the selectors had any specific long-term goal for the team, Patil said " No, we