“I had to remodel my action to avoid the stress on my back. I had three surgeries. My case is very similar to L Balaji’s, but my return is less celebrated than his.”

Salvi was playing club cricket when TA Sekar offered him a surprise contract with Delhi. “He might have lost that action but he is nippy off the wicket and can seam the ball from disconcerting length. I think that habit can really help our side in South African conditions. He’s not lost out on pace either,” says Sekar, who worked with several bowlers during his stint at the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai.

“I was very astonished, and very emotional when I got the chance,” says Salvi. “It’s an opportunity to remind people about myself. I want to make the most of it.”

His spell of 2-0-17-1 on Sunday wasn’t a bad effort for a 12-over game. This is another case where the figures don’t tell the full story.