Indian batsman Suresh Raina says he was "hurt" after being dropped from the Indian team despite performing well. The World Cup-winning player is also determined to feature in the national side during the 2019 World Cup.

"I was hurt on getting dropped even after performing well. But now I have cleared the Yo-Yo test and feeling so strong. During all these months of hard training, the desire to play for India again grew only so much stronger," Raina said.

"I won't leave it here. I have to play for India as long as possible. I have to play the 2019 World Cup because I know I have done well in England. There is still a lot left in me and I am extremely confident of doing well in these three games in South Africa," he added.

The 31-year-old has played 223 ODIs and 65 T20Is for his team. However, according to him, he is reliving the old memories of making a debut for the Men in Blue.

"Yes, I am 31 but, as they say it, age is just a number. The other day when my match clothing arrived, I had the same feeling like I got before making my India debut. It is so special," he said.

Raina last played for India in the T20 series against England in February 2017 and clubbed 63 runs in that clash. However, his failure to clear the standard Yo-Yo test kept him out of the Indian side.

"My family became my biggest strength during this trying time. I played a lot of domestic cricket and focused on clearing the Yo-Yo test too. I worked really hard on it at the NCA. I have always been fit during my entire career but it is just that at time you get down injuries or niggles and that hampered the preparation to clear the test," Raina reportedly said.

Suresh Raina thinks that no. 4 or 5 suits him more when it comes to batting in the ODIs. He also feels that MS Dhoni should be promoted to bat at no.4 to guide the relatively inexperienced middle-order.

"If you talk about the No 4 slot in the ODIs, it is not an easy one to bat on. Most of the time the team is in a tricky situation when the No 4 comes to bat, especially while chasing. One needs to attack, change the gears constantly. I personally feel that the No 4 and 5 slot suits more to my style of batting.

"Earlier, Yuvraj would hit fours and sixes at No. 4, then I'd come at No. 5, and Mahi would finish at No. 6 - so our roles were settled thanks to [former coach] Gary Kirsten.