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NEW DELHI, Sunday (Reuters) - Sachin Tendulkar does not mind taking over as India captain for a third time, but feels he is not ready for the job yet.

"To be honest, I am not really thinking about it right now," Tendulkar said in an interview to Star Sports due for telecast on Monday.

"But I haven't ruled it out completely," he added.

"I just want to give myself some time and when I am ready to take over, I will let the concerned people know that I am open for this. It's your (the selectors') call."

Tendulkar first became captain in 1996 but was removed at the end of 1997 after a series of poor results, only to assume the responsibility a second time in 1999.

He relinquished the job on his return home following a 3-0 test series rout in Australia in early 2000 and hinted he would never return to lead the national side again.

Current skipper Saurav Ganguly replaced him in the job.

The 28-year-old batsman also admitted he has become more conservative in his shot selection in tests, cutting down on uninhibited stroke-play that has featured his career so far.

Asked whether he had slowed down, he said: "I've just learnt to pace my innings better. I think my style has changed a bit."

He also attributed his new batting approach to his changing temperament: "Sometimes your frame of mind is also different. One can't forget that.

"Maybe my bat swing is not right, my footwork is not... so better not to fool around. On that occasion you don't end up playing too many shots."

Tendulkar, the only batsman to score over 11,000 one-day runs with a world record 31 centuries, is also India's second highest test run-getter with over 7,000 runs.

His 28 test hundreds stand only behind compatriot Sunil Gavaskar's world record 34 and Australian Don Bradman's 29. 

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