India are now grappling with a new issue after Gautam Gambhir opted out of the final Test against Sri Lanka, writes espnstar.com's Ayanjit Sen.

Twenty-eight-year-old Gambhir was allowed by the BCCI to withdraw from the third Test in Mumbai so that he can attend to his sister's wedding.

No replacement has been called in place of Gautam Gambhir.

Remember Gambhir has had a great run in the last few innings including a knock of 114 in the first Test in Ahmedabad and 167 in the Kanpur Test.

In his 27 Test matches so far, Gambhir has scored over 2500 runs at an average of 56.73 with eight centuries to his credit.

His absence may hit India hard. Leading the series 1-0 after a stupendous win over Sri Lanka by an innings and 144 runs, India is going to miss Gautam's golden run with the bat in Mumbai.

Even captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni commented that it was difficult to say how much the team would miss Gambhir.

Two options are now before the Indian team management.

One, to get veteran Rahul Dravid to open the innings with Virender Sehwag. Remember Rahul has done so eighteen times with an average of just over 32. His favourite number three position has earned him most of the laurels with an average of over 55.

If Dravid is pushed up the order, India will have an option of playing an extra bowler considering the pitch in Mumbai.

Dravid has been in sublime touch with his ever-positive mindset. He has tormented the Sri Lankan bowlers with his back-to-back centuries in this series so far.

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Another option is to bring in Tamil Nadu opener Murali Vijay. He has played only one Test for India so far. It was against Australia last year when the 25-year-old replaced Gambhir who was banned for a match. He may make another cameo appearance in his fledging Test career.

But nobody can forget the opening 233-run partnership that Gambhir and Sehwag had in the Kanpur Test. Sehwag is in good form but he needs a partner who can deliver the goods as expected. Sehwag's agression was indeed well matched with the calming influence of Gambhir.

Sehwag has already termed him as the best Indian opener after Sunil Gavaskar.

This tour had seen his best in soaking up pressure and moulding his innings according to the match situation.

India depends a lot on the opening stand which gives them the fuel required to build on an innings.

It is difficult to predict how much the team will miss Gambhir. Only Mumbai will show. Fingers crossed.