SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 04: Peter Handscomb of Australia celebrates his century during day two of the Third Test match between Australia and Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Victorian captain and last season's Sheffield Shield leading run-scorer Peter Handscomb has revealed his desire to make his way back into the Australian Test team.

Handscomb scored 697 runs at 49.78 last summer, having previously played 16 Tests for Australia where he averaged 38.91 with the bat.

A noted player of spin, the away tour to India in February and March, where Australia will play four Tests for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is where a majority view Handscomb as a chance of returning if he has another strong summer with the bat.

Speaking to the Vic State Cricket Podcast though, Handscomb said his best days in Australian colours are still ahead of him, and that he enjoys batting in Australian conditions.

"If (being a good player of spin) does help me get on subcontinent tours, which it has done before, then that's great," Handscomb said.

"But also don't forget I do like batting in Australia as well, where it is fast and bouncy and I can play a few cuts and pulls if need be."

The Victorian skipper, who is opening his Sheffield Shield season today against South Australia, pointed to Michael Hussey and Chris Rogers as reasons why his Test career isn't over, although he was realistic about needing a position to come up in the team.

"Mike Hussey debuted at 30 and had a pretty good Test career and even Chris Rogers started playing again at 35 and played for a couple of years, so it's definitely not out of the realms to play again," Handscomb said.

"It's something that I'm pushing for that's for sure; I'm still talking to George Bailey and getting a feel for what I need to do, but ultimately it's (to) make runs.

"You also need a position to come up in the team as well and when the Test team is as strong as it is and performing quite well, it doesn't matter how many runs you score, they stay in and they keep performing.

"My aim is still to be on that Test tour to India (in February-March next year), even if it's just as a backup."