New Delhi, May 8: There were enough indications from Chennai Super Kings manager V.B. Chandrasekar that L. Balaji would mark his return to competitive cricket here at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Thursday. Balaji, who has missed a good part of the last three seasons, trained hard under lights on Wednesday, not minding the sweat that flowed copiously, and a sizeable media entourage kept a close watch as he went through his paces well.

"He has been ready for a while now. This format is extremely tough on the bowlers and we will have to find the right time to usher him in," Chandrasekar had said on match eve.

It was not the same with Balaji who had remained reserved on his comeback. "I have not set any particular date to return. I will start playing once I feel I can take the grind fully," he said. On Thursday, the bounce and nip off the wicket that was associated with Balaji during his days with the national team was still missing. It was a somber approach to the wicket with well guided steps and the release was slower with a smaller load-up.

Still, the first two overs went for only 11 though Shikhar Dhawan and Gautam Gambhir running hot at that time. Even the final tally of 35 runs from his allotted four was not a bad effort given the fact a few runs leaked through sloppy fielding and overthrows.

Bowling predominantly with a cross seam Balaji was intent on pitching it in the right areas rather than try and bustle the batsmen with pace and bounce. He got his deliveries in the blockhole whenever he attempted it.

There were a few slower ones that were a give away with his slow approach to the crease. They were picked for runs but the two wickets he grabbed towards the end and the positive result should infuse a lot of confidence in Balaji as he gears up for tougher assignments.

His dismissal of Gambhir with a delivery pitched right up made the difference in the final analysis. If Gambhir had batted for one more over the target would have well gone out of bounds.