He could not capitalise on theopportunities to cement a place in India's Test squad butSuresh Raina reckons that he has now matured as a batsman andis just waiting for another chance to prove his worth in themiddle order.
Regarded as a one-day specialist, Raina has been aregular in India's one-day team for long but his Test careercould not really take off as he could manage just 768 runs foran average of 28.44 in 17 Tests.
"I have worked on my batting. If I get a chance to playTests again, I won't let it go unaccounted for sure. My careeris shaping up well. I am hitting the ball well at the moment.
I am waiting for another chance and this time I am confidentof performing well," Raina told PTI here.
"I have done pretty well in recent matches and I wouldlike to stage a comeback. I don't have a grudge, I don't feelthat somebody else has taken my place in the (Test) team. Aslong as the team is winning, I am a happy man," he said.
The national selectors' decision to ignore Raina for theongoing four-Test series against Australia came as a surpriseas the left-hander had amassed 277 runs at an average of 92.33in the ODI series against England.
He struck form for the Rest of India squad in their IraniTrophy tie against Ranji champions Mumbai, hitting a classyhundred (134) in the first innings and then followed it up byscoring an equally impressive half century in the secondessay.
Raina had lost his place in the Test team after anunimpressive show in the two-Test series against New Zealandin September and was subsequently not considered for thefour-Test rubber against England.
For the ongoing Australia series, which India lead by2-0, the selectors have preferred Ravindra Jadeja over him,especially because of the former's effectiveness as a spinbowler on the turning wickets at home.
Jadeja justified his selection for the first two Testswith an impressive show with the ball, extending Raina's waitfor a Test recall.
"I am happy for Ravindra Jadeja, he is playing reallywell. He had scored a lot of runs (in the domestic season),"he said.
The prolong wait for a permanent berth in India's Testteam has not eroded Raina's self-belief.
"What is important for me is playing cricket and notthinking about how my Test career is shaping up. I am not intofuture planning and all. I am concerned about my present andnot the future," he said.
The Uttar Pradesh player said there's nothing moresatisfactory than playing Test cricket and believed he couldforce his way back into the team if he continued to work hard.
"It feels great whichever format you are playing for TeamIndia. I would definitely love to play more Test cricket. Myaim is to play Test matches. For me, there is a different feelof Test cricket as it tests your character. You come to knowabout your mental toughness and most importantly, there isanother level of satisfaction as a player," Raina said.
Raina said he felt disappointed at not being picked forthe Australia Test series.
"You feel disappointed sometimes, it's quite obvious.
But that particular phase does not linger on for too long. Itgoes with time. You start feeling like what's next. My jobis to perform, enjoy cricket and thank 'God' for whatever hehas given me. Selection is not in my hand. My job is toperform for the country whenever you enter the ground," hesaid.
Raina refused to react when asked about out-of-formopener Virender Sehwag's axing from the Indian squad for thethird and fourth Test against Australia.
"It's up to the selectors to decide. He is a good player,he has performed well for the country. For me, what is goodfor the team, that's important. Ultimately, winning is themost important thing."
Raina also said that he is looking forward to performingwell for the Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL 6.