Chennai, Jan 19: After Rajasthan opted to bat first in the Ranji Trophy final against Tamil Nadu at Chepauk, openers Aakash Chopra (86*) and Vineet Saxena (120*) took the defending champions Rajasthan to 221 for no loss by the end of the day.

In his brief interaction with the media at stumps, Saxena spoke about his senior partner and his own form. Excerpts:

On the knock

This knock is significant – getting a century in the Ranji final is a big thing. I am really happy that I was able to score a century and remain not out. I hope to get [more] runs tomorrow.

On the challenges the batsmen faced on the day

The bowlers were decent. The wicket was a bit too slow, I would reckon. It was just about being patient because nothing much was happening wicket [-wise]. The odd ball was stopping but it wasn’t that difficult. […]

On the pitch

I can’t say much about it, just that scoring runs is good from the batsmen’s point of view. […] The last game we played against Haryana was a low-scoring game. Obviously, when you get runs you are happy. The odd ball was turning.

On Tamil Nadu’s bowling options and whether they were missing a spinner

They are playing with three seamers, even our team is playing with three seamers, so I don’t think you’d miss a spinner. Otherwise they have two spinners and we have only one specialist spinner. [R] Ashwin is the best off-spinner in the country right now and he is representing India. So if you miss a player like him it’s a big miss, I would say.

On the co-ordination between him and Aakash Chopra

In the first over we got about 17 runs [thanks to the] ball hitting [the] middle of the bat and [we got a] couple of boundaries. That gave us confidence and really helped. Once we were in we spoke to each other. One thing [we told ourselves] was that we would stay at the wicket – then we would get runs. It may be a bit late, but if we are there at the wicket, we can definitely score […]. There was a period after lunch when we made only 20 or so runs in 15 overs. We told each other that you can’t hit on the rise on this track, so you need to keep occupying the crease and the runs will eventually come.

On what he learnt from Aakash Chopra

Quite a few things to learn from him, his determination, his technique because the moment I commit a mistake, I always get a piece of advice from him. That really helps. […]

On Chopra batting on after being hit on the face by a bouncer

I would say it was entirely his decision and his guts. Being his [batting] partner, I was in no position to say anything. You don’t know what effect it would have on him so it was entirely his decision and his call. […] Sheer determination and guts [got him through], I would say.

On his form in the Ranji Trophy season

Before Saurashtra I had a 99, a 50 against Mumbai [and] a 70 against UP. I was not getting hundreds. In that game it was a green-top wicket; on a green-top you can get out at any time. It was just that I was applying [myself to the task] and things worked for me.