Nagpur: Opening batsman Murali Vijay on Monday said the pressure created by India’s bowlers has in turn helped the team’s batsmen in the ongoing Test series against South Africa.

India have taken a 1-0 lead in the four-match Test series and they are here for the third Test which starts from November 25.

“As a team, the bowlers doing well gives you a lot of confidence because the momentum is always with you. If you keep taking wickets, the batsmen will be ready to go in. Being a good bowling unit is what most teams are after, and hopefully we can do that on a consistent basis,” Vijay said.

“The pressure that we have put on their batsmen has been incredible to watch from the close-in fielder’s point of view. It has been a cat and mouse game and it has been going well for us. There is constant effort from both the teams to put pressure on the batsmen and it has been a good contest to be part of.”

The right-hander played crucial knocks of 75 and 47 in the first Test which India pocketed by 108 runs. He then continued his good form in the second Test with an unbeaten 28 on the first day but then the last four days were rained out.

Vijay said he is ready to succeed and play well in all three formats of the game but added he is quite happy fitting into the Test team.

“I have tried to put the team in a good position and it has been working for me. I am in a good state of mind and that is more important for me at the moment,” he added.

“I prepare to succeed in all the three formats of the game but at the moment I am fitting in the Test side. I am working hard on my batting and my aim is to keep improving in every session. In the last two years I have been travelling around the world and have got good experience. I have learnt a lot in terms of how to keep myself organised in the middle.”

Speaking about his batting partners, he said: “It is very important to know what your partner is up to. If he is not in touch it is your responsibility to face more balls and give him the time to get comfortable. Those few moments can help a batsman get into the right mindset.”

“As for my rapport, I have a good rapport with all the top five batsmen because we have played a lot of domestic cricket together. We play as a pack.”