'When I play my natural game I am more successful'

He is part of the Indian squad for the Bangladesh tour, but yet to secure his place in the side. In fact, he's been in and out of the squad so often that had it happened to any other player he would probably have been demoralised.

But not Rohit Sharma.

The Mumbai 22-year-old missed crucial Ranji Trophy games this season  -- against Orissa and Tamil Nadu -- but, to his credit, made the most of opportunities that came his way.

A dogged 101 against Railways was followed by a belligerent, unbeaten 309 against Gujarat -- his first triple ton. Despite featuring in just six games -- without batting in one against Hyderabad -- he aggregated 527 runs (@87.83) for the defending champions in the country's top domestic competition this season.

Add to it a series of consistent performances with Indian Premier League champions Deccan Chargers and Rohit is a deserving candidate in Team India's set-up.

A few days before his departure to Bangladesh, he spoke with Special Correspondent Bikash Mohapatra about his form, his frustrations of being unable to cement a place in the squad and his comeback knocks that make the selectors sit up and rethink.

You have been in and out of the team. How frustrating is it?

It is frustrating to be in and out of the team. It is not only me, but anyone who goes out of the team doesn't feel good. The only thing you can do is get runs and come back as quickly as possible.

And that's what I try to do.

You are part of the national team for a T20 match or a one-dayer at one point, playing a four-day Ranji match next and then part of the Test squad… (Interrupts)

These kind of situations are always tough. At times it is difficult to play one Ranji game, then go on national duty and then come back to playing Ranji again.

But you got to adjust to all these situations because that's how it is in India.

You do well in a couple of Ranji Trophy games and you get picked for the one-dayers or Twenty20 squad, play there and come back to play Ranji again.

I am used to it now and don't think it matters much to other players as well.

But is the adjustment difficult?

I don't think so. It's up to the individual, I would say. How he adjusts to the changes, depends upon that.

As I said, I don't have any problems making the adjustments.

Take us through the unbeaten 309 you scored against Gujarat recently?

Obviously, it was a very satisfying knock. It was a good wicket to bat on and I just decided to keep batting, get a big score and put my team in a nice position.

I have been batting well in recent times and that has added to the confidence. Considering what has happened to me recently, as regards my place in the national team, I think my innings has been a perfect reply.

You seemed tentative when you were on 299. Were you nervous?

You can say that. Because, obviously, when you are on 99, 199 or 299 you got to get that one run as quickly as possible.

 I was not nervous actually, but I was trying to get that run sooner. And usually the opposition senses that urgency and brings the fielders up. Thankfully, I got the run I needed easily.

Would you rate it as your best thus far?

It is one of my best knocks, I would say.

 It is not easy to go out there and get a triple hundred always. When I got past 200 I just told myself to try and get the big one as I am not going to get such an opportunity every time. I wanted to make that opportunity count and, therefore, I slowed down a bit.

Many people are of the opinion that you are better suited to the shorter format. Do you believe knocks, like these, would help change their opinion?

Definitely, I would say, because I have heard many people saying that I am more suited to shorter formats and not good enough to play the longer version of the game.

Hopefully, now people will know I am capable of playing a long innings.

Even against the Railways, I took about 220 balls to get those 101 runs. So, obviously, it is not about the lack of patience.

People are going to continuing talking but this is the way you got to shut everyone's mouth. That's what I feel.

Virender Sehwag follows the same approach, the format notwithstanding. You seem to be following in his footsteps?

Not exactly as Sehwag, but something similar to him. He likes to go after the bowlers and that is what I think when I am batting.

Sometimes it works, but on other occasions you get out also. But getting out playing your natural game doesn't worry me.

I also observed that when I play my natural game I am more successful.

In fact, at one function Sehwag told me that almost anyone can score a hundred, but it is important to convert them into a bigger innings, He said you can do so by combining aggression with caution.

The Indian fielding has been appalling of late. The appointment of Mike Young has done little. You being one of the better fielders, and having worked with Young, how do you assess the situation?

Mike Young was an inspiration for us in the Deccan Chargers' team. It's too early to judge him as it's only been a while that he has joined the Indian team.

He is a very experienced guy, and has worked with the Australian team.

I really had a good experience with him in Deccan Chargers and am sure whatever knowledge he has, he will pass to the players and you will see the Indian fielding standards go up in the coming days.

Any targets for the coming year?

No targets as such. I just want to take it match by match, as they come.