Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman had still not overcome the shock of being excluded from the Indian team for World Cup 2003 when he was named among the probables for the recent conditioning camp in Bangalore. But his 99 against Mumbai in the Irani Trophy match last week washed away the residue of that disappointment. That tenacious knock for the Rest of India proved, if proof was at all needed, that the Hyderabadi touch artiste is an automatic choice for the Test side for the forthcoming series against New Zealand and far from finished as a one-day player.

"It was the most depressing moment of my career," Laxman admitted when asked about being omitted for the World Cup in southern Africa. "I had been working so hard for the World Cup. After the West Indies series last year, where I was the highest run-getter [312 runs at an average of 55], to be dropped was a rude shock. The disappointment will always be there. It took me some time to digest the news.

"But you can't keep brooding about the past. The future is important and I have to look at it."

The Challenger series saw Laxman dust the cobwebs off his bat and regain his fluency.

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During the Test series at home against the West Indies in late 2002, Laxman scored a most uncharacteristic century at the Eden Gardens, venue of his epic 281 against the Australians in 2001. The innings was subdued and lacked the typical Laxman flair. It naturally begged the question: has he changed his style of batting?

"I don't think there has been a change of style," Laxman said. "I just play according to the situation. In Kolkata I had to stay at the wicket since we had lost four early wickets. It was important that I play a supporting role to Sachin Tendulkar, and I did. I have not curbed my batting style. I still go for my shots if I want to."

Laxman believes that if India has to win the twin series against New Zealand and Australia, the batsmen must ensure that huge totals are posted. "We must play to our potential," he said.

Evaluating the New Zealanders, he said, "The Kiwis are a good side and you cannot single anyone out. [Nathan] Astle is the danger man. They have got a mixture of young and experienced players, which constitutes a very competitive side.

"Their strength is that they gel very well. They are also a very good fielding side, led by a very intelligent captain, Stephen Fleming."

Laxman has often been criticised for his slack fielding, which is believed to have been instrumental in his exclusion from the World Cup squad. But he does not subscribe to this assessment. "I am a safe fielder," he said. "I might not be the best, but I am not so bad."

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He also cleared the air about opening in Tests. "I have made myself clear that I will not open in Tests," he said. "After I was dropped after the Bombay Test against South Africa [in 2000] and branded a non-regular opener, I decided that I would not open. I said in one-dayers I might consider opening, but not in Tests."