How have the last couple of months been for you?

Honestly, not playing for India hurts. But I should add here that I really enjoyed playing for Baroda and that's always been the case for me. Cricket aside, coming back home and getting to spend time with my parents, my brother, sister and close friends was the best thing to happen. Staying at home, eating food with my family the way we usually do, driving through the lanes of Baroda, catching up with friends, I enjoyed all that. When you are on a tour, you're usually in a hotel, mostly alone and that is always very different. So being at home was a welcome change. I was just very relaxed and wasn't thinking too much about cricket.

From 2003 till now, which is that one time when you've had the opportunity to take a back seat, review your own performance, spend time for yourself, and stay relaxed?

After the 2004 tour of Pakistan, we got a two-month break, but after that it's been really busy. We were continuously touring or playing at home during that period. I got a month off during our tour of Bangladesh before Pakistan were to arrive in India. But that was because I was injured. I spent that month in Mumbai with the physio, trying to get fit in time. I can easily say that during that phase, it was work and just work 365 days a year. More than reviewing my performance, I'd like to say, this one month's rest has done me a world of good. It gave me the time to stay alone, sit and think for myself. On a tour, or probably during a series, you don't always get the opportunity to do that.

... contd.