"My personal opinion is that Akash Chopra has done exceptionally well as an opener," Tendulkar said after his captain Saurav Ganguly confirmed last week that Yuvraj would open the innings in the new season.

Chopra opened the innings with Virender Sehwag in eight successive Tests before being axed in the third and final match against Pakistan in April.

"He (Chopra) is very solid and has had two tough Test series (against Australia and Pakistan). He looked very confident and not out of place. He is mentally tough," Tendulkar said at a training camp here.

Yuvraj has played just four Tests in the middle order, but Ganguly said the batsman had the ability to succeed in his new role.

India tried two different pairs on their recent historic tour of Pakistan, Sehwag opening with Chopra in the first two Tests and with Parthiv Patel in the third and final match.

Tendulkar said the choice would be very difficult for the team, scheduled to play a Test series against Australia in October and South Africa the following month.

"Yuvraj is a talented player. Both are equally good. It is a very tricky situation," he said.