Mumbai, Nov 1: With Mumbai gearing up to face off against Railways in their first match of the Ranji Trophy 2012-13 season, Rohit Sharma too is looking is forward to begin the season on a positive note. The batsman has had the opportunity to train with Sachin Tendulkar over the last few days. The youngster who has been awaiting his turn to don India’s Test cap has been trying to make the most of this chance to work on and improve his batting.

Speaking to the media ahead of the game against Railways at the Wankhede Stadium, he said, “I’ve been with him for the last two-three days. Since I got into the Mumbai Indians team two years back, we’ve been close to each other. He’s been following my batting, what I do in the nets and all. And whenever he feels something has to be corrected, he comes and talks to me about what is to be corrected and what I need to work on. We regularly have a chat on how I can improve my cricket.”

He also talked about the importance of performing well in the premier domestic tournament and his improved fitness.

Excerpts from his media interaction:

How important is this Ranji Trophy game for you?

It is a very important game and it is the start of the season. I have to start my season on a positive note. It will be an important game playing at home. I just need to be positive, which I am and in a good frame of mind before the start of the match. I have been preparing well before the match and let’s hope for the best result.

You look fitter. What did you do in the last three months?

I am just working hard. There’s no alternative for fitness. It’s my job, I’m not doing it for anybody else, and it’s for my own game. I’m seeing these things helping in my game also. Whatever is in my hands, I’ll try and do.

You said fitness is helping your game. Does it helping your batting?

You always feel good when you are fitter. Not only while batting, even when you’re fielding, you can move on the field quickly. Apart from your bating all these things really matter. When you are batting you feel you can run well, you can be more flexible in your shots.

Do you set targets for yourself in a domestic season?

I don’t set any targets. I want to take it one game at a time. You will put pressure on yourself by setting targets and thinking that way. The next match is against Railways – I’ll think about that, how I need to go about it and what I need to do. After that I’ll see what I need to do next.

Eight matches for each team in the league stages. Your views on the format

For Mumbai it’s always been ten games, so that’s how we think about it. We have always played in the knockout stages, so we prepare accordingly. We go into the Ranji Trophy thinking we’ll play 10 games in a season. It’s important to be in a positive frame of mind in every game you play. It’s important to stay calm and focus on the right things.

With Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan playing, Mumbai is fielding a full-strength side

Yes, absolutely. It’s brilliant for Mumbai cricket. They have come together in the past and won us the game. It’ll be a good boost for Mumbai cricket and all the guys in the team. They can always look up to them and learn something. It’ll be a big boost for us.

Eight home Tests will be played this season. How important is it for you to stake a claim, because you’ve always desired a Test cap?

Absolutely, it’s correct. I am always working towards that. There are certain things that are not in my hands. Whatever is in my hands, I’ll try and do. Tomorrow is a real opportunity for me to showcase. I will try to perform and leave it up to the selectors and everybody else to claim the spot.

Mentally, how would you prepare for a season like this when you’re not sure whether you’ll be playing a Ranji game or a Test match or be a part of the squad but not get an opportunity to play?

It’s been happening for the last two-three years now so I’m really kind of used to it. If you’re not in the Ranji Trophy team, you might be in the Test team. If you’re in the Test team, you don’t get to play and you come and play the Ranji Trophy. So you get used to all these things; moving here and there. It depends on each individual, how he wants to think about this. In India you should be prepared to go anywhere you’ve been asked to go. Ajinkya [Rahane], for example, is playing there [at CCI against England XI]. Tomorrow he has to come here and play Ranji Trophy. That’s just an example. That’s how each individual should think and prepare.