I have it in me to play for India, says Badani

Hemang Badani: has rescued India several times from precarious positions © Getty Images

Hemang Badani, the 28-year-old middle-order batsman, has not lost hope of making a comeback to the side, and said that he was doing what was required to fulfil his aim of getting back in the squad.

"I believe that I have it in me," said Badani. "Still to bowl, get those runs and still play for the country for a long time. I am not old as yet; so, why not [nurse an ambition to represent India again]. It's the question of wanting to do something. The question is looking to go ahead; not looking at the stage you are."

Badani made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in 2001and played four Tests, averaging just 15.66. In his 40 one-day internationals, he made 867 runs at 33.34. Inconsistency and patchy form saw him make way for others at times, and injuries also played their part.

Badani realises that he can't get into the one-day side merely as a batsman. "The way things are going today, you can't enter [the one-day team] just as a batsman. Things are going to get that much difficult with new ICC rules governing limited overs matches. Cricket has become multi-dimensional. You can't just be a batsman and get away," said Badani, who also bowls orthodox left-arm spin. "You have to keep adding to your cricket repertoire."