Set for his big break at the international stage after being selected for India's Test series against the West Indies next month, Tamil Nadu batsman Abhinav Mukund says his temperament will be his biggest strength during the tour.
The 21-year-old Mukund was included in the squad after both the regular openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag were ruled out because of injury.
"There was a lot of talk of me replacing Gambhir, so that played on my mind as well. I've been doing very well in the last two years in domestic cricket, I'm glad the selectors have taken notice of that. My efforts have paid off," Mukund told ESPN Cricinfo.
"My temperament is my biggest strength. I learnt a lot about that from (S) Badrinath. Even Sachin paaji told me that he constantly keeps working on his game and I'm only starting out in international cricket," he added.
Mukund made his debut in 2007, and averages an impressive 59.41 in 40 first-class games with 13 centuries, including an unbeaten 300.
Mukund will have statemates M Vijay and S Badrinath for company during the series.
"Vijay and I opened a lot together initially and we understand each other's game well. We share a very good rapport and our past experience in opening together will definitely help us," Mukund said.
Part of the Chennai Super Kings franchise, Mukund said sharing the dressing room with the likes Suresh Raina and Australian Mike Hussey has helped him improve.
"I've been spending time with the left-handers in my team, mainly Suresh Raina and Michael Hussey, and their inputs will certainly help," he said.
