Pujara set for big stage

The decision probably changed his life as he turned out to be one the finest strikers to come out of the region. He also possesses patience that could match the likes of Rahul Dravid. 8220;I won8217;t go that far, but yeah I feel that once you go in then it8217;s necessary that you get a big score for the team,8221; said Pujara.

The 19-year-old Rajkot born is currently with India A, playing against their South African counterparts in Dharamshala.

Chosen as an opener for the series, he has scored heavily in nearly every form of the game and was among the top five scorers in the Ranji Trophy last year. His greatest achievement, however, was being declared Man of the Tournament in the under-19 World Cup in Colombo last year.

Ask him about his achievements and the young lad simply ignores the issue. 8220;It has been a long time. I want to concentrate on the current series. I missed out in the first match in Delhi and it seems unlikely that I would get a bat here, so now my focus shifts to the one-days in Gujarat,8221; he says.

Though he scored a major chunk of his runs from the number four position, Pujara feels that he would be better utilised as an opener rather than in the middle order.

8220;I have no problem as a middle order bat, that8217;s what my team wanted me to do, but I always felt that I would do much better as an opener,8221; said Pujara.