Vijay says there is no pressure on batsmen

Vijay is coming into the series after making a <g data-gr-id="33">strokeful</g> 150 against Bangladesh in the one-off Test and the opener is eager to cement his place in the side. “It’s actually not demanding. It is actually our role and if any one of us clicks, it’s going to be good for the team and we are going to be in a much comfortable position on most times. So it is a good challenge,” Vijay told reporters when asked about the pressure on the top-order batsman in the face of Kohli’s five-bowler theory.

“It is a good responsibility to have on your shoulder to go in and bat and these are good things. If you are looking to dominate in a Test match, you have to perform as a team. You should have the plans and work according to them,” he added.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan also made a blazing 173 in Bangladesh and with Lokesh Rahul also in line for a spot in the playing XI, the competition is intense. Vijay though is not too worried.

“It (the competition in the top-order) is going to add more challenge for everybody to pull up their socks and do their bit for the team. Be as consistent as possible and it’s a good challenge and good thing to have in a team,” he said.

With two fairly young sides up against one another starting August 12, Vijay hopes the challenge will be worth everything.

“There are a lot of youngsters, like Angelo Mathews is doing well, there is (Lahiru) Thiramanne, so there is a lot of talent in the team and it is going to be a tough series for us. We are also a young bunch of players and it is going to be a challenging series,” he said.

After Kumar Sangakkara’s retirement post the second Test, Sri Lanka will be without two of their most <g data-gr-id="31">experience</g> batsmen -- Mahela Jayawardene is already retired -- and Vijay opines that India will have the <g data-gr-id="30">upperhand</g> on that count.