Excerpts:

You were not part of the playing XI in the Kolkata Test against Sri Lanka and then you got two consecutive hundreds. How difficult was it to be out with injury, not find a place in the XI?

How do you see the trio combine in the Test scheme of things?

A high-voltage series against South Africa is coming up. What’s going through your mind?

Graeme Smith recently said that the SA pacers will trouble the Indian batsmen...

Are you working on any specific plans to counter Dale Steyn & Co? Will we see any personal battles on the field?

You have been India’s Mr. Dependable in overseas conditions ever since the 2013 South Africa series. How do you see the pressure factor weighing on your shoulders?

During the Sri Lanka series there was a lot of talk about preparing for SA tour on lively pitches. India will not play a practice match in SA. How do you see the situation?

What did you learn from your last tour of South Africa?

Do you think this Indian pace attack and spin combination can challenge the SA batsmen in their own backyard?

CHENNAI: The 2013 South Africa tour was a turning point for India opener Murali Vijay . From there on, Vijay has been India’s go-to-man at the top not just at home but in difficult overseas conditions. The 33-year-old, who has made a strong comeback post injury with two successive hundreds against Sri Lanka, is all set for the South African safari.ALSO READ: I am happy and comfortable in my space: Vijay In a candid interview to TOI, Vijay opened up on the need to assess situations quickly, the camaraderie between the opening trio (two others being Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul), the intriguing battles with Dale Steyn and the South African pace attack, the overseas challenges that await Virat Kohli & Co and more.ALSO READ: It is difficult but I am used to it: Vijay on selection I’m focused on my game and how I’m going to make an impact to the team’s cause. Those thoughts were challenging me more than sitting out. I knew my turn would come. I was confident after the layoff. I was working hard on the mental aspect of my game. There were a few hiccups initially, then I got back to form playing a couple of Ranji Trophy games and that made a huge difference. I got into match mode and from there on it was all about the mental strength. I made sure I was in good frame of mind. All three openers are in good form.I’m in that phase of my career where I want to spread good energy in the dressing room and be positive. With these two around, it’s easier. We are all like-minded people. We are open to conversations. We share great rapport. Our communication skills are good. Whatever the issues, it’s put in the open. When the heart is clear, your mind is clear. It’s easy to move forward. I hope we forge a good combination in the upcoming Tests.It’s about going out there and expressing yourself. I have been to South Africa a couple of times. It’s going to be critical on how fast we assess the situation. It’s too early to think what’s going to happen out there. I’m trying to keep my mind open and do my basics right.I don’t think too much about who says what. It’s a battle between ball and bat. Let’s keep it that way. It’s going to be an interesting experience for everybody - challenging and exciting as well. I’m up for it and I’m pretty sure everybody in the team is ready as well.My battle is with the ball and not with the names. It’s about reacting to situations. Any international bowler is a class act and each bowler has his charm and advantage in home conditions. It’s up to us to go out, enjoy the experience and come out on top. It’s going to be a great experience for me personally and for the team as well. I know how it feels to perform abroad.That’s what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a dependable player for my country. Such a situation is not pressure but pleasure for me. It’s a great opportunity for me to go out there and represent billions. I have my process in place. I can control the innings and I can play my shots after settling down. I’m confident of delivering.Some people need 1000 balls to get set, some people don’t even need to bat in the nets but are ready. It’s very difficult to explain the term preparation. It depends on the individuals on how they are going to go about tackling the challenges. I have isolated myself and I’m doing my own practice now. I have the process in place.You know the conditions better, you have a better feel of the ground and the opposition attack as well. You have experienced it once. It gives you an edge on how you are going to prepare this time. The conditions are going to be testing. As long as you are expressing your plans, he should do well.Yes. When their pace attack can challenge us, our pacers too can challenge them. It’s going to be up to them on how they prepare the pitches because we are prepared with our bowling unit. We have a lot of advantage as most of them have played abroad now. The bowlers have experience behind them. They know what exactly they have to do.