India A captain Cheteshwar Pujara kept his cards close to his chest and refused to divulge whether veteran Virender Sehwag will open or bat in the middle order when his side locks horns with the West Indies A in the second unofficial Test starting in Shimoga on Wednesday.
“I will not disclose it (if Sehwag is going to play in the middle order),” he told reporters when asked if Sehwag will bat in the middle order at pre-match press conference.
“You will come to know tomorrow,” India A Coach Lalchand Rajput interjected.
On Sehwag’s injury, Pujara said he looks okay and a final call will be taken later. Asked whether Sehwag will go for a scan, the Indian captain said the team needs to speak to the physiotherapist about it.
Pujara also said there might be a few changes in the team’s strategy for the next match.
Asked whether he would play three fast bowlers, Pujara said he would play them if there is dampness in the wicket due to rains.
“We will take a call tomorrow morning. See how the wicket looks in the morning. There might be a bit of rain. It looks cloudy,” he said.
Pujara said he was disappointed with the way he got out in both the innings but wants to focus on the ongoing series.
Rajput commented on Zaheer’s fitness, saying that he looked fitter and eager to perform.
Pujara, playing this game despite being the number one ranked Indian Test batsman in the world, said rather than practising in the nets he prefers to play a first class game or even a club game.
“I think, for cricket, it’s important to stay in touch with the game. It is a first class game. When you play at the international level, you still want to play a few first class games and feel confident. To improve your game, it’s important,” he said.
Asked was it the BCCI’s decision or his decision to play this series, Pujara said it was a mutual understanding with the apex cricket board.
“Even I wanted to play,” he said.
