Uncapped Keaton Jennings hopeful for a confident show against India

Son of well-known coach Ray Jennings, Keaton Jennings had impressed one and all in the Division One of the English county cricket and racked up a total of 1,548 runs at an average 64 with seven hundreds last season. But his exploits didn’t guarantee him a place in the England side at the first-place, due to a more fluent Ben Duckett.

But the injury to opener Haseeb Hameed made way for the inclusion of Jennings and he is hopeful of making the opportunity count and help the English team to bring back the positive energy.

The South Africa-born opener said, "It's pressure but I have always been taught that pressure is a privilege, sort of a thing my dad tried to infuse into me as a kid. I like to think that I bring positive energy and a smile to the group. I am generally quite a happy guy (person). But again, it's 2-0 down and gets into a tougher position. So, hopefully, we can throw a few jibes and throw some punches back,” Jennings said in the press conference ahead of the fourth Test.

Jennings had made most of the runs in the pacer-friendly wickets of Durham but is confident of getting success in more spinner-friendly wickets in the sub-continent.

"I leave that to you to answer in a couple of days of play. There is no better place to come and challenge yourself. If I can play and come out with some sort of success, that would be humbling," the left-handed batsman said.

"If I don't play then I will carry drinks, but I am looking forward to getting involved."

Jennings wants to pick the brains of his father, Ray, who had earlier coached Royal Challengers Bangalore side in the Indian Premier League.

"I have got quite a good relationship with my dad (Ray Jennings), from the playing point of view, my dad asked me to enjoy the process and culture of India. I have been told to drink a lot of water and to ensure that the bottle is closed," Jennings said.

"Previously, in 2009-10, I came with my dad to the IPL, (more so) as a tourist, really enjoyed and I am coming back to the place which I loved," he told reporters after the team's practice session at the Wankhede stadium.

"When I was 9-10 years old, we (me and my dad) were into the nets, we were kind of training and those where some of the days when I decided not to listen. First ball I got out, the second ball I got out, and he said one more time and you are going out the third ball , I got out and he put his bag down and walked off," he added.