Opener Wasim Jaffer [Images] says the hiatus from international cricket since making his debut had toughened him mentally and he was now better prepared to do justice to his caliber.

The lanky Mumbai batsmen, who was inducted into the team for the tour to Pakistan in January-February after a four-year gap, said he used the period to iron out his deficiencies to emerge a more matured cricketer.

"When I made my debut (in Mumbai as a 22-year-old) I was not mature enough as I was new to international cricket and did not understand what was needed to be successful at that level," Jaffer told PTI in an exclusive interview.

"I did not do well in the first few matches against South Africa (in February 2000) and then was dropped, before getting picked for the West Indies [Images] tour (in 2002). I had a decent series, scoring a couple of fifties, and played in England [Images] too before I was dropped," he said.

Jaffer, who did not play a single match in Pakistan and had to wait till the home series against England, said he focused on tightening up his defence, which was important for survival at the international level.

"Well, it was a big learning experience and I knew I had to tighten up my defence to do well at the international level which I did. The three-year stint in domestic cricket was also very helpful," he said.

"I became mentally stronger in the intervening period and at the international level mental toughness is what makes the difference," Jaffer said.

"I lacked consistency earlier. I either used to get out cheaply or make fifties and then get out," the 28-year-old said.

The opener, who has scored 511 runs with one hundred and four fifties to boot in ten Tests, said he was quite happy with the way he had performed against England against whom he notched up his maiden Test ton at Nagpur.

"I was happy to get my first Test hundred at Nagpur against a good England attack. I am also pleased that I spent close to one or one and a half hours at the crease in the other Tests against this quality attack.

"I want to do better in my next series and score a lot of runs and help India win," said Jaffer, who had shown much promise by scoring a triple ton against Saurashtra in Ranji

Trophy when he was just 18-year-old.

When asked about the West Indies tour, Jaffer was of the opinion that barring Jamaica and Barbados, the wickets in the Caribbean should be similar to the Indian wickets.

"The wickets have slowed down and barring those at Jamaica and Barbados (where India are not playing a Test) which are fast, the others are a bit two-paced and similar to the ones we have here," he said.

Jaffer, who's recuperating from a shin operation that he underwent in Mumbai four weeks ago, is confident that he would be fit when the Indian Test squad is chosen later this month for the West Indies tour.

"I have already started batting. Indian team's physio John Gloster (with whom he's in touch) also feels I should be fit in time," the player with a 50-plus first class average in 121 matches said.

"It's a great place to play cricket. The atmosphere is really fine. People enjoy the game, which is great for cricket. I want to go back," he said.

Asked whether he spoke to any former Test players when he was out of the Indian squad, Jaffer said he had interacted with former players and current teammates.