India good test for Bopara

Bopara has modelled himself on India favourite Sachin Tendulkar © Getty Images

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Ravi Bopara is enjoying the prospect of taking on India at Chelmsford in a three-day tour match with the England Lions.

Bopara’s parents were both born in India so the match has added significance for the Essex all-rounder.

“I’d like to think they (his parents) will be over here watching at the weekend, so it will be nice to do well in the game,” Bopara said.

With such strong connections to India it will come as no surprise that Sachin Tendulkar is one of the youngster’s heroes.

“It will be nice to play against him, hopefully get a bowl to him and get his wicket,” the 22-year-old added. “Then he’ll come onto bowl when we are 500 for three and I can score some runs off him.

“When you have that kind of idol, you look up to him and strive to be like him.

“When I was younger, in particular, I modelled my game a lot on him - when I’d watch him on TV and then practise my shots in the mirror.

“Over the last few years I’ve changed a few things though, to make it my own style.”

Bopara has been a highly valuable member of the England squad © Getty Images

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Bopara’s style has been enough to impress the England selectors and he played a significant part in England’s World Cup squad before an untimely injury kept him out of the NatWest Series against West Indies.

He was, however, recently named in the provisional squad of 30 for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament and the England Lions game gives him a further chance to be in the spotlight.

“This is a great opportunity for me to show what I can do against a Test side,” he said.

“England have got three Test matches against India this summer, so if there are any injuries and I’m scoring runs in the County Championship then I’m in a good place to take someone’s place.”

Bopara’s aims may be high, but they are not inachievable, with healthy averages in all domestic competitions.

“I’m in the best form I’ve been in for a long time so I intend to keep it up with as much net practice as I can and hitting as many balls as I can,” he confirmed in the England Lions v India commemorative brochure.

“If there are a couple of niggles in the Test team then somebody has got to fill in. Hopefully if I score runs in this game, then I’ll put myself in contention.”