Mumbai [ Images ] opener Wasim Jaffer [ Images ] on Monday said he was shocked at his inclusion in the Indian team for the one-day international series in South Africa [ Images ].

"I was kind of shocked. I was expecting to be selected for the Test team, but the one-day selection came as a bit of surprise," he told rediff.com.

Jaffer was playing for West Zone against Sri Lanka [ Images ] 'A' in the Duleep Trophy at the Barabati stadium in Cuttack when the team was named.

"I was batting when the team was announced. I only got to know when I came back for lunch and people said Zaheer [Khan] and I were selected for the one-dayers," the West Zone skipper said.

Jaffer celebrated the good news in style, hitting a century. He played an aggressive knock of 129 from 137 balls with 15 boundaries and two sixes, something the selectors would be hoping he can replicate in South Africa.

 "It was a good day for me. I was selected for the one-day team and I got a hundred too. But unfortunately I could not save the match," said the right-hander.

Till now, he has played 14 Tests for a modest record of 883 runs at 33.96. But in 2006, he has enjoyed a great run in Test matches, having amassed 622 runs at 47.85, including a double century in the West Indies [ Images ].

Jaffer, who is yet to play a one-dayer for India [ Images ], said he will try and prepare his game to suit the shorter version.

"It's very different to Test matches. I will need to prepare accordingly. I will have time with the team to practice my one-day skills and to learn and play aggressively," Jaffer said.

The 29-year-old added that he is ready to bat any position, but not lower than five.

"I am ready to bat in any position. But as everyone knows I am not a slogger, so I wouldn't prefer batting six or lower. Maybe my preferred position would be anywhere between 1 and 5," Jaffer said.

The prospect of facing South African pacers on seamer-friendly wickets is not bothering Jaffer even one bit. "I will prepare myself accordingly. Before going to the West Indies and Pakistan too, I prepared myself and was ready for the conditions," he said.

Jaffer, who was selected ahead of other contenders like Gautam Gambhir [ Images ], Robin Uthappa [ Images ] and V V S Laxman [ Images ], said it would be a huge challenge and a good opportunity to prove himself.

"It will be a huge challenge, but I will try my best," he said.