Ganguly last played for India in the third Test in Karachi in February

The 33-year-old batsman lost the India captaincy last year and was left out of the squad currently in the Caribbean.

He told BBC Radio Northampton: "I want to put runs on the board and get back into the national team.

"I'm not here from a financial point of view - it's important to perform. I still feel I've got a lot of cricket in me and every run will be watched."

Ganguly, who has previous experience of county cricket with Lancashire in 2000 and Glamorgan last year, will cover for Chris Rogers while he is on duty with Australia A.

I come to this country every year for a holiday and I have a house in London so I thought I might as well go and play some cricket Sourav Ganguly

The left-hander believes playing in Twenty20, one-day and four-day cricket, will help hone his game as he looks to force his way back into the Indian selectors' thoughts.

He is expected to make his debut on Sunday in the C&G Trophy game with Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge and also line-up in the four-day game against Pakistan next month.

Ganguly added: "I hope I can help the county and this is of mutual benefit to us.

"The conditions will help my bowling, it swings around a bit and I enjoy this part of the world.

"I have emotional attachments here because I played my first Test in 1996 at Lord's.

"I'm sure I can learn from the Northamptonshire players and it'll be good for both of us."