A few months back former India wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia faced an uncertain future after being indicted in the Central Bureau of Investigation's report on match-fixing. Today, after being absolved of wrongdoing in the scandal by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the 31-year-old, who made his Test debut in 1993-94 against Sri Lanka at Lucknow, is looking to get back in the team for the upcoming series against Australia, after sitting out since last March.

"I want to get selected for the Aussie series. It is a new challenge for me," he declared at the conditioning camp for the India probables at Madras.

Faisal Shariff caught up with him during the ongoing Challenger series to elicit his assessment of the Australians, against whom he has played two Test series and even scored a hundred when they toured India in 1996. Excerpts from the conversation:

Take us through the hundred you scored against the Australians when they were here way back in 1996.

It was a great pleasure to have opened the innings against Australia (at Ferozshah Kotla). It was the second time that I was opening in Tests. I was told in advance by the team management and, therefore, I could mentally prepare myself for the game. I had a week to prepare myself so I practised according to that.

I was on 30-odd overnight when I walked out to bat, when a scribe asked me if I'd get a hundred. And I said that I would. And I got 152.

That was the Test when I was on the field for all five days. My aim was that we would not lose early wickets. Glen McGrath and Paul Reiffel opened the bowling, and in the absence of Shane Warne, they had a full-fledged attack.

Besides the memorable hundred, is there any other moment in the match that you still cherish?

The stumping of Ian Healy in the second innings was one of my favourites. Kumble bowled down the leg-side and I collected the ball as it passed from between his legs on the half volley. I would rank that as my best stumping ever. That match was memorable for these two reasons.

What worked in India's favour during that Test match?

The fact that they bowled short of length was the main reason for their defeat. The wicket in Delhi was two-paced and it was very inconsistent. They bowled as if they were bowling on the hard bouncy tracks of Australia. They didn't bowl driving length at all, which is where they had the maximum chance of grabbing wickets. They kept bowling short and it gave us a lot of time to play the deliveries. They thought that pace would be our undoing but it worked the other way for them.

You have watched the Aussies from close quarters on two occasions -- 1996 and 1998 -- when they were here, what according to you is there strength?

They are playing an attacking game at all times. I don't remember the last time I saw them play defensive. Even if they are down and have lost a couple of early wickets they just counter-attack. They are a very aggressive side.

So, what is the strategy to attack the Aussies?

I think patience is the key to get the Aussies. Just try and restrict them. Don't give them too many lose deliveries. Let them take risks in trying to attack all the time.

The opening stand will also be equally important. When the ball is old it changes the entire option for the Indian batsmen. The pressure on the middle-order is less. The idea should be to let the middle-order face the ball when it's old. That plays a huge role in the match.

Who are the main Aussie players to watch out for?

I think the Waugh brothers will play vital roles in the team's success. Mark Waugh plays spin very decently and is a class player. Steve Waugh has also played a very attacking 60 against us despite the fact that they lost the match.

What about the bowlers, Glen McGrath in particular?

Glen is a very strong bowler. He has a lot of stamina and can bowl long spells with the same speed and accuracy. That could be a problem for the Indians. And let us not forget that this time they are here with McGrath and Warne. In 1996, Warne didn't turn up and in 1998 McGrath missed the series. They are full strength this time around.

Will Kumble's absence have an impact on India's chances?

It will make a big difference. He is a very accurate bowler and never gives lose deliveries. And any bowler who is close to 300 wickets in Test cricket has to be a class act. He is a match-winner, hence it is obvious that his absence will have an impact on the game.

Let's talk about wicket-keeping. What is the key to wicket-keeping?

Good reflexes and coolness are the two key elements, besides being patient.

But it is always said about you that you rarely dive. How do you counter that accusation?

What can I do? I keep moving all the time. Keeping is about anticipation not diving around. If I can anticipate a catch and move accordingly why should I dive? I think this accusation is really untrue.

Who has been your idol when it comes to keeping?

Myself. I think I have always looked up to my own keeping. I also think that Kirmani was a great keeper and so was Alan Knott.

Does the fact that you have been selected again for the probables point towards a talent crisis in India with respect to keepers?

I don't think I want to comment on that. I can only talk for myself not for anyone else.

After the entire match-fixing episode, how do you look at your career from here onwards? How much of an impact have the allegations had on you?

It has been difficult, but I was always sure that I was going to be proved innocent because I had not done anything to be afraid or ashamed of.

Now I want to get selected for the Aussie series. It is a new challenge for me. I want to play to the best of my potential and win for my country.

Did any of your teammates call you up during the match-fixing episode?

No. No one called me up or called on me.

Don't you feel strange that you still want to play for a team where you are not wanted?

I don't think that is true. Who is unhappy with me? I am friendly with everyone. We go out, we dine together. No one has a problem with me.

When we last spoke, you told me that you finish the game and go back to your room? Why do you stay so aloof form the rest of the guys?

You don't expect me to go to someone's room in the middle of a match. You never know what the other person is thinking, or doing. Maybe, he wants to be alone. There is so much pressure; the last thing I want to do is intrude on someone's privacy.

Interviews

Mail Cricket Editor