MUMBAI, Apr 3: Looking to cement his place in India’s One-day cricket team, batsman Cheteshwar Pujara today said that he would like to open the innings in the limited overs format.
“I would like to bat top of the order. I can’t just say that I just would prefer to open the innings. It depends on the team’s requirement. Given an opportunity, obviously I would prefer to open the innings but even batting at number three or four, it is not deep down the order,” said Pujara.
“If I am batting one to four, I am happy doing that,” he added.
Asked about the adjustments he would have to bring to his game if he wanted to play in the ODIs, Pujara explained, “In ODIs, there is not a major change, especially with the two new balls, you still want to play proper cricketing shots initially. And then once the ball gets old, you can start accelerating.
“Being a top order batsman, I don’t need to make too many adjustments in ODI format because there is a lot of movement. We all know there are two new balls and most of the matches are in overseas condition.
“Initially you want to bat like what you do in Test format and even when I am set in a Test match, my strike rate has improved a lot. Once I cross 50 runs, after that I start playing the shots. In ODIs maybe, you can’t have so much of time but what I need to do is that the way I bat in the Test match after scoring a 50, I can just do the same thing when I go into bat,” he explained.
Pujara, who will be representing Kings XI Punjab in the upcoming Indian Premier League, said he wanted to open the innings with his Punjab teammate Virender Sehwag as things would become easier for him with the hard-hitting veteran at the other end.
“Things will get easier for me if I am opening the innings with Virender Sehwag. He is the kind of a batsman who can change the game easily. If he gets going, he can score a 100 even in a T20 format. If I am opening the innings with him, it will be a very good experience and things will become easier for me,” he said.
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