Having lost his Test spot last year, veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane is currently plying his trade in the Indian domestic circuit.

Rahane is leading Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season and "trying" to be the batter he was in his younger days.

Things seem to be falling in place for the former India Test captain as he has aggregated 532 runs in five Ranji games at an average of 76, including a top score of 204.

"I was thinking about old times and when I first came into Ranji team (back in 2007). How I used to play, what was my thought process. I have gone back to the drawing board and I am trying to be the Ajinkya what I used to be in my initial days," Rahane told PTI during an interaction.

"The idea is to keep things simple," he added.

Rahane, who has played 82 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is for India, also opened up about some changes he has made in his technique.

"Small changes obviously. You have to evolve continuously as a player and continue to work and improve upon your strategies.

"No major changes but small changes, skill wise, now I have to be in the moment thinking for Mumbai and doing well for them. That's on my mind completely."

Having experienced the high of international cricket, Rahane can certainly relate to Prithvi Shaw's delight at getting an India recall (in T20Is) and Sarfaraz Khan being overlooked for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy despite record-breaking exploits in Ranji Trophy over the last three seasons.

Sharing advice for two of his Mumbai teammates, Rahane said: "My advice to them would be simple. Control the controllables and not dwell on things that are not in your hands. Just try and be in the moment and not think too far ahead."

He understands how setbacks affect players and as a Mumbai skipper, his "door remains open" for a chat with any player.

"You have to put your arm around guys who are going through rough patch. Important to give them freedom to express themselves not only on the field but also off the field.

"The individual can come to me and talk to me about anything that's going on in his personal life," Rahane said.

(With PTI Inputs)