PHOTO: K. BHAGYA PRAKASH

READY FOR ACTION: Irfan Pathan and Suresh Raina at a net session at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Sunday.

Bangalore: Much before his smile got frozen in camera lenses and Pakistani fans developed a fondness for him, L. Balaji had marked his early steps in the familiar environs of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

A stint here in 2002 and a subsequent visit to the Australian Cricket Academy as part of the Gavaskar-Border Scholarship, had pitchforked Balaji to the limelight. However a stress fracture on the lower back grounded him after eight Tests (27 wickets) and 29 one-dayers (34 wickets).

He is now back at the NCA, but there is no time for nostalgia. He has got a job to do — complete the rehabilitation process and chart his comeback plans.

"At this stage, I don't want to rush. I know I need to play a couple of matches, but I am waiting for the green signal from bio-mechanist Ian Frazer and physio John Gloster and once I get that I will play whatever matches I can in the forthcoming season," said Balaji, who last played for India in a one-dayer at Dambulla in August 2005.

Part of the camp

Balaji, along with left-arm spinner Murali Kartik who is recovering from a shoulder surgery, are at the NCA to evaluate their progress and are also part of the cricket-skills camp that officially commenced here on Sunday.

While the players selected for the tri-series in Sri Lanka began to arrive in batches, Balaji and Kartik were already into their fitness sessions at the NCA while other early birds — Irfan Pathan and Suresh Raina — had a net-session at the KSCA (B) ground.

Patience and hard-work have been the twin guiding forces as Balaji charts his comeback plans. "My association — TNCA — consulted the board officials and sent me to Australia where they diagnosed my problem. It was a great step because initially I was worried over the exact nature of my injury. Then I played in the Duleep Trophy in November, took seven wickets and three months later I met physios Alex Kountouri and John Gloster, who guided me with the rehabilitation protocol. I worked hard — three hours in the pool and three hours on the ground and at the nets every day. Ramji Srinivasan also helped me a lot during these days and I should also thank Chemplast for all the support. Now I am a lot more mature in understanding my body and guide it accordingly," Balaji said.

On the recovery path

On the road ahead, Balaji said: "I am in the final phase of my rehabilitation process and I am nearing my full run-up. I feel that I am getting back to a good line and length, but I need to fine-tune a few things.

I spoke with Frazer and he said there is nothing wrong with my action. The good thing is that I have had a good break, the fracture has healed and I am on the recovery path."

Balaji also stressed that he has not attempted to change his action. "You cannot change your action completely. And I don't want to loose my outswinger and in-cutter and anyway I am getting that from my short run-up.

What you can do is some fine-tuning in areas like gathering and finishing that will help you to take wickets. At the end of the day, you need to take wickets and for that you need to be in good rhythm. I am focusing on that and will not change my action completely," Balaji said.

The lanky seamer is also not perturbed about the competition from the latest duo of Munaf Patel and S. Sreesanth.

"I don't think I need to worry too much on that issue. I have performed at the highest level and will have to do that again. I know my ability and I know that I can do it. I think competition is good for Indian cricket and I just need to perform consistently and take wickets. I want to keep it simple. I didn't dream of playing for India so soon, it happened automatically. I just need to have some match practice and enjoy my wicket-taking ability. If I get into the team now, I know I can do better," Balaji said before leaving with Kartik for the team hotel.

Meanwhile at the team hotel, the players assembled in the evening and had a session on lateral thinking with De Bono expert Shiva Subramaniam. On Monday, the team will practice at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

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