Suresh Raina has established himself as a key member and a consistent match-winner for Team India in limited-overs cricket. The southpaw reiterated his value to India’s ODI side with a Man of the Series-winning performance in the recently concluded five-match home series against England.

However, the 26-year-old batsman is not content with being a mainstay in the shorter formats. He has, time and again, expressed the keenness to prove himself a worthy Test cricketer. As Raina gears up to represent Rest Of India (ROI) in the Irani Cup, he’s eyeing a spot in the Indian Test team.

"I have been scoring runs in last 10 matches. So this is the chance. I need to do well in this game; then I can come back to the Test team. I’m hoping for the best and looking forward to this game. I am working hard and batting well. I hope I make a good score,” Raina said.

Raina started his Test career in 2010 with a century against Sri Lanka on debut and two half-centuries in the following two Tests. Post that, however, he struggled to score runs in the longest format and lost his spot to Yuvraj Singh for the four home Tests against England in 2012.

Despite the drawbacks, Raina is confident of bringing his Test career back on track and has set himself a target of having at least 50 Tests under his belt.

"I have played just 17 Test matches," Raina said. "I am the sort of guy who always believes in hard work, always believes in discipline. So, I know if I work really hard on my game, definitely I will be able to play at least 50-60 Test matches.

"I did well initially but didn't get runs against England [in England, 2011] in last four Test matches, but did well in the West Indies. I have been batting well. I need to be more solid, need to be more mentally strong."

Raina is part of the Virender Sehwag-led ROI team that will take on the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium from Feb 6 to 10.

Like him, there are many cricketers from both sides who are vying for a national comeback with an impressive performance in the Irani Cup.

Raina acknowledges that and knows how important this match is in terms of being selected in the squad for the Test series against Australia that starts February 22.

"It's an important game. If you look at the last series, we didn't play well against England in Test matches. You have got the best team from Mumbai and all the players in Rest Of India are trying to make a comeback. Viru Bhai is leading us, so his experience is there for us.

"In the other team Paaji [Sachin Tendulkar] is playing. They have [Wasim] Jaffer, and Ajit Agarkar has captained well. We have all youngsters in our team. Our coach Vikram Rathore said just enjoy the game, this is a good challenge before the Australia series,” he said.