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.

... contd.