Agarkar still hopes of playing for india

Mumbai: It's been more than four years since Ajit Agarkar last played an international match for India, but the pacer still harbours the dreams of reviving his career. To many it may seem hoping against hope but the 34-year-old thinks otherwise.

"I am still hoping to get another opportunity to play for India. I made my first class debut at the age of 19, so people think I am older than what I am. I am still fit. I am happy to be playing for India again," Agarkar, who will lead Mumbai in the West Zone One-Day Tournament commencing here on February 22, said.

The pacer was part of the Indian team that won the inaugural World T20 in September 2007 in South Africa. The high-scoring match against New Zealand that India lost by 10 runs saw Agarkar conceding 40 runs in his 4 overs. That was the last time he represented the Men in Blue.

His last international match was against New Zealand during the World T20 in South Africa in 2007.

Agarkar, who was recently handed over captaincy of the Mumbai team for the first time since his debut in 1996-97 after Jaffer stepped down from the post, also believes Mumbai's job in the One-Day tournament is not going to be easy because of the other teams have improved not a little.

"Our task is tough. We need to play well throughout the 100 overs. It's not going to be easy. Seven to ten years ago we had it easier, but no longer is that the case," he said.

However, he is pleased that Mumbai would be playing all their matches at the Wankhede Stadium.

"We are happy to be playing at the Wankhede Stadium, though we did not have any say in it. The track here traditionally offers good bounce," he said.

(With Agency inputs)

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