I am here to perform and get my place back in the Indian team: Amit Mishra

Chennai: Out-of-favour leg-spinner Amit Mishra feels that tips given by India 'A' coach Rahul Dravid, from a batsman's perspective, went a long way in helping him improve as a bowler.

"Look, he has 20 years of experience. From a batsman's perspective, he can give me tips as to what I should bowl or not bowl in these conditions. Also he can plan for a team like Australia," the 32-year-old veteran spinner said at an Open Media session of the India 'A' team ahead of its two four-day first-class fixture against Australia 'A' starting July 22.

Asked what kind of technical improvement does a leg-spinner work upon, Mishra said, "Depends from player to player. For some, it may be their leg-break, for some their straighter ones. You need to take advice from seniors and then work hard on those variations."

Mishra felt that India 'A' is an ideal platform to get his place back into the senior team as there is a "strong and healthy competition" for slots. "As a professional cricketer, you have to perform wherever you get an opportunity. I am here to perform and get my place back in the Indian team. The Indian team has been really doing well. So there is healthy yet strong competition for slots in the team. My job is to forget everything and perform here," said the Haryana leggie, who has played 13 Tests, 27 ODIs and 7 T20 International for the country.

For Mishra, it will be the first time that he will be playing in Chennai for India 'A'. "It's all good as of now but let's see how things pan out. There has been some rain. About the pitch, it will be too early to say. Can only comment a day prior to the start of the match," said Mishra.