Yuvraj Singh

New Delhi/Rajkot: Yuvraj Singh has said that the upcoming ODI series against England will provide the hosts with an opportunity to avenge the reverses they suffered in the Test series.

“England defeated us in the Test series. They are a good unit. We have to play well to defeat them in the upcoming ODI series and avenge our loss,” said the all-rounder, on the sidelines of a promotional.

Yuvraj is satisfied with his form and hoped to be able to play bigger innings in the five-match series.

“I am hitting the ball well and playing well in patches at the moment. I have been in good form in the T20s and hope to carry it forward and play longer innings in the series,” he said.

England batsman Kevin Pietersen felt that Yuvraj is the dangerman in the Indian line-up and needs to be dismissed early. “He is the most destructive batsman in the Indian line-up. We have to get him early, else he can take away the match from us,” said Pietersen.

Commenting on his tumultuous relation with the Indian ace — referring to the pie-chucker episode —, Pietersen said: “We are rivals on the field, but away from it, we are all good friends. On the field he will be looking to dismiss me, and I will also try to do the same.”

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara, who has been selected in the Indian ODI squad for the first three matches, has said that he would grab the opportunity with both hands if he gets a chance to play.

“It’s every cricketer’s dream to play all versions of the game… The selection in the ODI squad is a dream come true for me.

“I have done well in Test cricket and will try to give my best in limited overs cricket too. I’ll grab the opportunity with both hands if I get a chance to play against England,” Pujara, who is playing for Saurashtra in the ongoing Ranji Trophy quarter-final match against Karnataka, said.

Pujara has played 9 Test matches so far in which he has made 761 runs, with three centuries including a double hundred, and a healthy average of around 58.

After ensuring his place in the Test squad, Pujara improved his strike rates with an eye to get berth in the limited over cricket.

He aggregated 361 runs in NKP Salve Challenger Trophy played in Rajkot, in December, in which he struck back-to-back centuries and finished the tournament with an impressive strike rate of 107.