Balaji has a spring in his stride,and an extra yard of pace

The seamer had to recently deal with a spilt webbing on his bowling hand while playing first-division matches in Chennai,but he calls the injury negligible considering how long he’s been on the sidelines due to a succession of problems. “The comeback has been tough. It takes a lot of effort to play at the highest level. That’s what it takes to make it in international sports. In terms of your mental strength and your fitness,you should be ready for the grind,” he says.

“I just wanted to play cricket again,and make use of whatever chances I got. It was a long process but my patience paid off. I’m just trying now to be more consistent and to stay at this level for a longer period. I have again reached the place everyone dreams of,and now I have to develop my skills more to perform there for a long period of time,” he adds.

Balaji is thrilled with his return to the Test squad,and is now eager to work his way into the Indian team in the shorter formats as well. “I was a part of the squad to New Zealand,and I’m really happy to be in a winning Test squad on my comeback. I was also added to the ODI and T20 squads in Sri Lanka. Overall,it was a good season last year.”

Balaji remains as popular as ever,and comeback wishes have pouring in from his colleagues and friends. “There’s a lot of competition in the Indian pace department,but it’s very healthy,and that’s good for Indian cricket,” he says. “Somebody will need to push the present lot for their place because every successful team has a strong bench.”