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First things first, what is the status of your back injury?

I have fully recovered from the injury to my lower back. It took so long was because I wanted to be completely sure of cent per cent recovery before I take the field. I spent most of my time in Australia and England going through the rehab process. I initially wanted to play some county cricket but decided against it because I felt at that time I wasn’t ready for the longer version. So I opted to play a few practice matches and slowly test myself. I would play a game and then rest a week until I was totally sure of myself.

You still wear a protection guard on your left ankle. Do past injuries still haunt you?

No, I have been wearing this ever since I had a surgery. Like I said, I have no niggles. If you keep thinking about your past injuries and try to be safe, then it’s not possible to bowl fast. So I consciously try not to think about anything, just run in to bowl.

You are ready for the domestic grind then?

Yes, of course. Ever since I returned, I have been training for a couple of hours in the morning, hitting at the nets daily, bowling at full blast and doing fielding practice. What I now need is a lot of matches under my belt. I still have a month to go before the domestic season starts. I am looking to figure in the teams for Irani Trophy, Duleep and the Challenger. The month of October is very crucial for me to make my presence felt.

How have you handled the disappointment of sitting out for almost a year due to injury?

Injuries can happen to anyone, fast bowling is not an easy job. Yes, I have been unlucky to break down a few times. But over the last one year, I have learnt how to handle these kind of situations, I have tried to be positive and always optimistic about my comeback chances. But having said that, it’s obviously very disappointing that I missed out on a lot of action in past few months.

In your absence, Team India has developed a quality pace battery, and more are waiting in the wings. Does that make you insecure?

No. Obviously, they have done well. Sreesanth and Munaf have had good success but you shouldn’t forget that I am out because of injury. I was not dropped from the team due to bad performance. So, when I return to a level playing field with them, maybe during the Challengers next month, it will be a good time to take a call on who’s the best.

So you expect to find a place in the team once you prove your match fitness?

Look, I can’t just walk into the side, neither can the selectors drop anyone just because I am now fit. I have been India’s best bowler for two seasons, I have been consistent in all the series that I have played and I am still India’s fastest bowler. I have experience on my side and I have done well, especially in the death overs, so if the selectors think I am back to my best, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t get my place back. It’s another thing if the selectors don’t want me, in that case I am happy playing for Delhi.

What is your opinion about the current crop of fast bowlers?

Honestly, I haven’t been able to see a lot of cricket since I was away and busy with my rehabilitation. But of whatever I have heard, Sreesanth is talked about highly and Munaf is quick. RP Singh, though, has played less matches but he’s got wickets. So it’s tough competition coming up and it’s good for the game.

Sitting out with injury, was there a temptation to concentrate on just one aspect of the game, one-day or Tests?

I am only 27 now, and I believe that a fast bowler can last upto 32-33 years. It’s only after 30 that you would want to think about preserving yourself to prolong your career. I have no such intentions. Right now I am good enough to bowl my ten overs and I am sure that with some matches I can go full throttle in the longer version too. I still have 3-4 years left to think on that.

During the lay-off, did you have some interactions with the Team India management?

Public memory is short, they may forget me, but it gave me a lot of satisfaction that my teammates were besides me. These little pep talks boost your confidence. I had interactions with a lot of them, especially Dravid. He kept telling me that I would be back soon and how the domestic season is important for me to prove myself and that I should concentrate on it. Apart form this, it’s always a good feeling that the team physio John Gloster is monitoring you constantly. So there’s always a sense of belonging to the team.

What is one thing you see going in your favour to stage a comeback?

The World Cup is coming and everybody knows that I bowled great spells in the last World Cup. And then I have the experience too, so there’s an edge for me. You never know what might happen, like I got injured somebody else can. Luck may favour you. Right now I am just looking to make it to the South Africa tour.

editor@expressindia.com

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