Sanjay Bangar must consider himself one of the unluckiest cricketers in India. Assigned the difficult job of opening the batting, he performed his role with distinction, especially overseas, only to be overlooked for the current tour of Australia.

But the Railways skipper, affectionately called 'Buddha', has not let the disappointment affect him. Instead, it has only increased his resolve.

In the Ranji Trophy this season, Bangar has registered scores of 116 against Andhra Pradesh, 45 and 86 versus Kerala, 42 and 4 versus Delhi, 51 and 18 versus Uttar Pradesh, 79 and 17 versus Punjab, and 49 versus Mumbai, the last knock coming last week as his team was bowled out for a paltry 198 in reply to Mumbai's first innings total of 388.

"I am batting well and looking forward to a good season," Bangar said in Mumbai last week. "I am confident of returning to the Indian team."

The 31 year-old all-rounder, who is hoping for a good showing in the Kenstar Tri-series involving the 'A' teams of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, played down talk about being called to reinforce the team in Australia. "Even I have heard from media reports that I have to join the team in Australia," he said. "But other than that there is nothing else."

Asked about Railways teammate Murali Kartik being flown in as a replacement for Harbhajan Singh, Bangar agreed that Kartik is one of the best spinners in the country. "He is capable of bowling well under any conditions," he said. "I am quite sure he will do well in Australia."

Asked whether, on current form, he would rate Kartik India's number one spinner, Bangar replied, "He is number three. He is the third best spinner in the country. Obviously, everyone knows who numbers one and two are."

Bangar said the new points system had made the Ranji Trophy more competitive. "All teams play for a win as you get additional points for winning. This has made the Ranji Trophy more exciting and positive," he said.