India ‘A’ as well as Gujarat opener Priyank Panchal on Wednesday said that he wants to keep scoring runs on a consistent basis as that will help him remain in the radar for a selection in the Indian Test team. Panchal, 29, has been part of the conversation for quite some time now as India’s Test opening options alongside Bengal captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, whom Gujarat will play in a Ranji Trophy match on Friday at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Since the change of role of Rohit Sharma as an opener with Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill added in as a reserve option and Prithvi Shaw making a return, things look tough for Panchal and Easwaran. But that is not a concern for the right-handed batsman.

“I am happy that I am part of that discussion. For me to score consistently is more important. I am focusing on that only,” Panchal told reporters.

Priyank Panchal is part of India ‘A’ team for the first four-day game in New Zealand. However, there will be two four-day matches from January 30 to February 2 and February 7 to February 10 in New Zealand before the much-awaited India’s tour starts.

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“We (me and Easwaran) have come to this stage because of performance. For me, performance matters the most and winning for the team is also important,” said Panchal who scored 90 in Gujarat’s first game against Hyderabad to lead the side to an eight-wicket win in the absence of regular captain Parthiv Patel.

“We (me and Easwaran) respect each other and have played together for a long time,” added Panchal who looks up to Rahul Dravid.

Gujarat have won their two matches coming into this one whereas Bengal won their first tie game and collected three points from the second game as they had a lead in the first-innings against Andhra.

“We as a team play much better cricket and we have been doing well,” he concluded.