Gautam Gambhir admits feeling nervous about India comeback

Back in the Test squad following a two-year absence from the international cricket, veteran batsman Gautam Gambhir has said that he is feeling equally nervous and excited about his comeback and added that he needs to calm his nerves down a bit before stepping on to the field once again.

"It's a feeling of being nervous, it's a feeling of being excited as well," Gambhir told bcci.tv. "Obviously whenever you get to represent your country, especially in Test cricket, the most important format of the game, it is very exciting. Very few people get to play with the blue cap on and for me to get that chance one more time is an unbelievable feeling."

The 34-year-old southpaw, who played his last Test in August 2014, grabbed the attention of the selectors with his impressive performances in the recently-concluded Duleep Trophy. And the opportunity came when KL Rahul was ruled out of the remainder of the three-Test series against New Zealand.

Elaborating more on his current state of mind, Gambhir observed, "I think that is going to happen with everyone. Whether you play a hundred Test matches or you have played one Test match, when you approach a Test match you are nervous. During the start of a Test match, there are bound to be butterflies and it is good to have them. The important thing here is how much you can control your emotions. As an opening batsman, I have always felt at the start of day 1 if you go in first, you will always have nerves but they will eventually settle down the more time you spend time in the middle. It is not that someone being experienced won't be nervous, everyone feels that and it is good."

Having made his way back into the national team, the opener said that the road to this has not been easy and revealed that he had to introspect more on the mental aspect of his game rather than into his batting technicalities.

With an aim to start afresh with a clear mindset, a determined Gambhir is hoping to contribute towards the team's success in all possible ways he can.

"I have set no targets at all. I am not setting too many targets. I am going to take each game at a time and try and win each game I am going to be a part of. That is what I play this game for. It is all about contributing to the team and winning a game of cricket. Most important thing in a team sport is winning the game irrespective of how individuals do. I have always maintained that individuals are only there to contribute. The team is doing well; hopefully we can seal the series in this game," he concluded.