‘I’ll practice on cement wickets for Australia’

How did you feel as you went in to bat on the first morning in Ahmedabad?
A: I was a bit nervous the previous evening but not on the morning. Perhaps the runs I’d scored in the tour games had given me confidence. Anyway, I’d been in the national squad almost three years and there was no pressure on me.

You’ve opened with Sehwag at other levels; what was it like in a Test?
A: There was no difference. I felt as if I was playing another Ranji match along with Viru. I might have felt differently if I’d had to open the innings with either Sachin or Saurav. The only difference was the atmosphere — it was different from what we experience during domestic matches.

How were the two knocks at Mohali?
A: Very satisfying. The wicket was a bit slow and stroke-making not very easy. In the first innings, I edged a rising delivery while in the second, I was given out bat-pad though I thought I hadn’t nicked the ball. It was a learning experience. Bad decisions are part of the game.

What about the treatment you got from the seniors?
A: The support I got from all, especially Saurav, Sachin and Rahul, relieved much of the tension

You’re seen as a virtual certainty for the Australian tour. How do you plan to prepare for that, especially since you aren’t playing in the tri-series?
A: I’ve never played in Australia but I have some idea of the wickets that we will get. I’ve spoken to John Wright, Sachin and Rahul and they’ve told me how I should play there on those bouncy and pacy tracks. I have also been watching on TV the matches being played in Australia to get a fair idea of the wickets. I’ll also practice at my club nets against short-pitched deliveries — I may bat on cemented wickets too.