After ODIs, Parthiv now eyes a Test spot

After establishing himself in India's ODI scheme of things by virtue of a good performance in England, wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has now set his eyes on a Test spot.

Parthiv, who was retained in India's 15-member team for the first two ODIs against England on home soil, said he is eyeing a strong performance in the Irani Trophy in order to stake a claim in the Test side.

"I have played in 28 ODIs and have done well so far. I scored quite a few runs in the ODIs with a couple of half centuries which gave me confidence. But I am yet to cement my place in the Test side," he said.

Parthiv was in no mood to look back on the disastrous tour of England, where India was whitewashed in all three formats of the game, and hoped for a strong comeback from the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side in the return leg of series between the two teams.

"We could not do well there (in England) because the conditions did not suite us, but, here, in India, we would enjoy home conditions. There is nothing like revenge, but we are looking to comeback strongly," he said.

The diminutive stumper will lead the Rest of India side against Ranji Trophy champions Rajasthan in the five-day Irani Trophy match, starting in Jaipur on Saturday.

"I scored a hundred here [Jaipur] last year and also have a double century in the competition. So, I am hoping to do well again," Parthiv said, after a practice session at the Sawai Man Singh stadium.

Asked if he would like to open the innings for Rest of India in the Irani Trophy, Parthiv replied, "Usually, I open the innings in ODIs, but bat in the middle-order in domestic matches. I don't mind batting anywhere as per the need and requirement of the team."

With fair amount of grass visible at the Sawai Man Singh stadium pitch, the Rest of India skipper said it will act in their favour as they have three young fast bowlers in their attack.

"We have three very good medium pacers in side in Varun Aaron, Umesh Yadav and R Vinay Kumar. So we are not much concerned about the grass," Parthiv said.

"We have players who all are performers in the domestic circuit. They all have high expectations. They all want to play for the country," he added.