I haven't been given a chance: Raina

India's Suresh Raina has challenged national selectors to give him one final chance in the Test side before - should he not perform - they can discard him forever.

Raina has long been regarded as one of the most naturally-gifted batsmen in India and has been a regular of their limited overs line-ups for most of the last decade.

But he's frustrated during his stop-start Test career and has played just 17 of 50 Tests since he became the 12th Indian to score a century on Test debut with an innings of 120 against Sri Lanka in 2010.

That remains Raina's only Test century to date and he averages just 26.48 at Test level, a record not befitting a man of his ability.

His return to the Test side for the fourth Test against Australia in January - his first match in two-and-a-half years - ended in disaster when he recorded a pair for the second time in his career.

Watch: Raina completes a pair at the SCG

The 28-year-old has been overlooked for India's Test tour of Sri Lanka, which gets underway next week, but he believes he could succeed at Test level should he be granted an extended stay in the XI.  

"I have not been given enough chances to prove my calibre as a Test cricketer," Raina told The Hindustan Times.

"You can’t judge a player on the basis of just one match after a hectic series of one-day and T20 games.

"I am not asking for five Test matches to prove myself. Give me two-three games. And if I don’t perform, drop me forever.

"I have been doing consistently well in one-dayers and T20s. Even in the IPL, I scored runs.

"It’s true that I didn’t do well in three innings in Test cricket in 2012. It was the same story in 2015, but that doesn’t mean I am not experienced enough to be in the Test side.

"I am sure I have the ability to be a consistent performer at Test level, but it’s just a matter of getting the chance to do so.

"Before gearing up for the World T20 (in March next year), I will focus on my Test comeback."

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Raina celebrates a century on Test debut back in 2010

While the World Twenty20 on home soil is a big focus for the man rated the 10th best T20 batsman in the world, the left-hander will also have ample time to push his red-ball claims in Indian domestic cricket.

India's four-Test series against South Africa in October and November - which Raina doesn't expect to be a part of - and their two-Test series against Pakistan that follows will allow Raina the time to play first-class cricket with Uttar Pradesh.

However, white-ball duties are likely to keep him occupied for the first five months of 2016; India will play limited overs series against Australia and Sri Lanka in January and Feburary ahead of the Asia Cup, World T20 and Indian Premier League.

It means Raina will need to score big runs in the Ranji Trophy late this year in order to send a message to selectors.

"Ahead of the World Twenty20, I have plenty of opportunities to play in the longer version of the game, especially in the Ranji Trophy in October-November before we tour Australia in January," he said.

"The domestic games will give me a platform to show my calibre and stake claim for a recall to the Test side. I am desperate for this.

"The Test series against South Africa in India will allow me to play at least four-five Ranji games for UP."

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