In a bid to help Rahul Dravid out of his current slump, Team India might just push the one-drop batsman two places down the batting order in the second Test against England starting on Friday in Mohali.

According to team sources, Dravid might be asked to bat at number five while VVS Laxman could be promoted in the reshuffle.

It’s unlikely, however, that the team management will make any changes in the playing XI. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra, who took eight wickets on his debut against Australia here in October, is set to hold on to his place in the two-seamer-two-pacer attack.

Meanwhile, wary of an England backlash and the early nip in the air, India aren’t keen on providing any advantage to the visiting seam attack. Curator Daljeet Singh has bowed to their wishes by preparing an unusually dry wicket with cracks all around and a patch of grass in the middle.

With Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann struggling to find their rhythm, India want to ensure the 1-0 lead is not the only advantage they have.

No going out

The Indians themselves had a relaxed net session Wednesday afternoon with Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan skipping practice before winding up early.

The two teams, though, have been virtually under house arrest, given the tight three-tier security cover they have been provided with. While the English players have no objections to that, the Indians are having some amount of discomfort.

The players have been making repeated requests to allow them brief visits outside, but they have been met with a polite but firm refusal from security personnel. Three Indian players on Tuesday were requested to cooperate after they wanted to go out in the evening.

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