Calcutta: Hardik Pandya is always focused on scoring quickly and he made sure his ways didn’t change in his debut Test, in Galle last week.

In fact, Pandya’s 50 at a strike rate in excess of 100 helped India reach 600 quickly in the first innings, giving Virat Kohi and Co. a few extra overs to have a crack at the Sri Lankan batsmen.

Asked about his preparations for his first Test, Pandya, talking to bcci.tv, said: “It felt like I was batting in one-dayers. The scenario was perfect for me.

“As an international cricketer, you need to be smart as in terms of preparation. While switching formats, there is a switch in mindset, but skill sets generally don’t change.”

Pandya’s senior colleague Cheteshwar Pujara feels the former can be the second Indian in international cricket, after Yuvraj Singh, to achieve the rare milestone of hitting six sixes in an over.

Conducting a fun interview for the BCCI website, Pujara asked the all-rounder if he had ever thought of the milestone. Pandya replied: “I don’t think about hitting six sixes in an over. I have hit three sixes off as many balls but never went for the fourth one as the situation never demanded.

“If we have a situation some day where I can go after all six balls, I might as well go for it.”

Pujara then asked him about his pull shots and Pandya returned the compliment. “Your pull shots travel 100 metres, Pujarabhai,” he said.

Talking about trying the horizontal bat shots, Pandya said: “I never tried too many pull shots earlier. I am happy that they came off.”

Pandya is aware that he needs to prepare well when India travel outside the subcontinent to places like South Africa and England. “I know I would need to prepare differently for the South Africa tour which won’t be an easy one. The ball would seam and you need to prepare accordingly.”

His captain wants him to do what Ben Stokes does for England, but for Pandya, his favourite all-rounder is South African legend Jacques Kallis.

“My favourite has always been Jacques Kallis for his amazing record across all formats… Scoring those big runs batting at No. 3 and taking all those wickets... Truly an amazing feat.”

Now, when Pujara asks him if he loves the tag of ‘rockstar’, Pandya answered: “I can’t say whether I am a rockstar or not, but I like experimenting with the colour of my hair. I like wearing different clothes as well.

“If you call me a rockstar for that, I really don’t mind.”