Opener Shiv Sundar Das is gunning for a return to the Indian Test team after being out for a year due to a poor run of scores blamed on problems with his technique.

The diminutive Das, who was India's main opener since making his debut against Bangladesh in 2000, was axed after a five-test tour of West Indies last year, where he aggregated 124 runs at an average of 15.5.

He travelled to England with the Indian team last year but did not play a test.

"Things have really changed after West Indies," Das told reporters during an Indian fitness camp on Friday.

"I think I've really worked on the technical aspects and I'm really looking forward to the coming season," Das said.

His Test woes were attributed to a lack of footwork. Former opener Sunil Gavaskar, known as a master technician, had commented Das was pushing his bat too far forward instead of keeping it in line with his head at point of impact while playing defensive shots.

India start a two-test series against New Zealand in October, followed by a one-day triangular series also involving Australia. After that, they travel to Australia for four tests.

Virender Sehwag and Sanjay Bangar have taken over the opening role for India for the last year.