India discard all-rounder Irfan Pathan on Sunday said he has rediscovered his bowling rhythm and wants to retain the form to get back into the national side.

The Baroda seamer has not played a one-day international match since February 2009.

"I have got my rhythm back after half of the IPL (Indian Premier League) season this year," Pathan said.

"This rhythm is like I had in 2004-05," Pathan, who made his debut against Australia in 2003, said.

A left-arm seamer and a handy batsman, Pathan has not featured in any ODI for India since February 2009 due to bad form and fitness related issues.

"I bowled badly for three years, but now I have got my old rhythm back and hope to hold on to it and control it properly," said the pacer, who has 152 one-day international wickets to his name.

He said that he was waiting for an opportunity to get back into the team.

Pathan had last played a Test match in April 2008 against South Africa in Ahmedabad.