India are considering Virender Sehwag as an opening batsman for the first Test against England at Lord's.

The 23-year-old regularly opens for the one-day side, but has batted in the middle order in his five Test appearances so far.

He was sent in first, however, in their final warm-up game against Hampshire and looks set to continue his partnership with Wasim Jaffer on Thursday after scores of 41 and 22.

"He is a very positive player, who will put pressure on the opposition if he gets the opportunity early," coach John Wright told the Press Trust of India.

Sehwag is one of India's brightest prospects and scored 105 in his debut Test against South Africa at Bloemfontein last November.

Injury setback

He followed that with half centuries against England and Zimbabwe but missed the Test series in the West Indies earlier this year after damaging his shoulder.

India's middle order for the Test looks settled with skipper Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Vangipurappu Laxman all certain selections.

Mohammad Kaif and Dinesh Mongia pressed their claims with half centuries in the opening tour game against West Indies A, but to include a seventh specialist batsman would leave India with an under-strength bowling attack.

The tourists are looking for their first Test series win in England since Kapil dev's side triumphed in 1986.