Chennai, Sept. 2: To get back on track has been a slow and painful journey for Indian speedster L. Balaji, who returned to competitive cricket in the Buchi Babu semi-final against Andhra Pradesh. XI

"The recovery process was slow but I am happy it is all over and I am feeling a lot better and looking forward to some action," beamed an enthusiastic Balaji. In the match against Andhra, the lanky seamer was not going full throttle. Not getting enough body behind the ball was directly proportional to the lack in zip off the track but the rhythm was getting better with every passing over.

"I might spend hours in the nets but there is no equivalent to a match situation, the more I get to bowl in matches the better I would get. The last few days have helped quell a lot of self doubts," explains Balaji.

In the second match he played, against Districts in the final, he ran in a lot harder and looked more at ease when he was transferring the weight at the crease and stronger at completion of the delivery stride.

Technically Balaji has lost none of the traits that made him a force to reckon with at the international stage.

Balaji, is following the fitness schedule given by Gregory King and John Gloster.

"I am following the routine without fail and Ramji Srinivasan is helping me out and I would say I’m somewhere near full fitness but as far as speed is concerned I would require few weeks," says Balaji. "I have a long season ahead of me and tournaments like the Buchi Babu and Moin-ud-Dowla will help me get closer to my best and I am expecting to be in full cry when the Ranji season starts," states Balaji.

The dark days for Balaji are over and it is time to make up for lost time. He for one is not rushing things and wants to them as they come. With his talent never in question and an attitude that matches the best in the business, Balaji is on the right path to get to where he belonged.