Cheteshwar Pujara wants to open in ODIs

Cheteshwar Pujara

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has stated that he wants to cement his place as an ODI opener for India. Pujara, who is already an established top order batsman in Tests, is now  looking to succeed in ODIs as well.

He said, ‘”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. If I am batting one to four, I am happy doing that.”

He added, “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.”

He further explained: “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.”

It would certainly be a major boost for team India if Pujara can establish himself as an ODI opener.