The smile that made Laxmipathy Balaji famous in Pakistan seems to be back in place. With the abdominal injury now consigned to the past, the medium-pacer is enjoying his gradual return to the game.

The 23-year-old cricketer is in Mumbai, along with his fellow pacers in the Indian side, Irfan Pathan [Images], Zaheer Khan [Images] and Ashish Nehra, to undergo training under India's physio Andrew Leipus.

"Andrew is going to examine me today; see how I have improved and give medical assesment," Balaji said.

He reached Mumbai at the dead of night and wore a blue shirt to match his morning mood. "I came late last night and got up very late, " the bowler mused, looking over the Brabourne Stadium from the gallery.

After a dream series in Paksitan, where along with Pathan, he shouldered the burden of India's bowling and the huge expectations of the countrymen with great success, Balaji joined the list of injured players when he complained of an abdominal strain during the second game of the Natwest series against England [Images] last September.

"It showed that life is full of ups and downs. Being injured was something new to me and I was obviously disappointed on missing out on the Australia series. I saw the matches on television and it was a part of the learning process. You should always learn, whether you are playing the game or watching it on television."

"The injury has also made me tougher. I used to be in touch with (Javagal) Srinath and Anil Kumble [Images] and they encouraged me. They advised me one how to prolong my career."

All the four fast bowlers have been plagued with injuries through the last year and Balaji thinks the workload could be one of the reasons for the breakdown.

"I don't know what the exact reason is. We do all the training and stick to the programme that we are given during the off-season. But maybe our bodies are not able to take the over load.

"I think players from all countries are getting injured. How you take it is important. It is like puzzle, and like all puzzles has a solution."

Balaji seemed to have done all the hard work, taking wickets at crucial times in Australia (one-day series) and Pakistan. The injury couldn't have come at a worse time as Balaji was building up a reputation and establishing himself in the Indian side.

With the team playing non-stop cricket, careers can be built or destroyed in a day. Is the four-month break too long for comfort?

"I had an inflammation of the bone that's why it took so long to recover. It wasn't a muscle injury. But I have to be patient. I think injuries teach control over emotions. The body also has to co-operate."

"Zaheer Khan is bowling very well at the moment. I don't know about selection but I'll need just one opportunity to get back into the side and as long as you are performing well the opportunities will keep coming."

Balaji has started bowling short spells, fifteen to twenty minute long, in the nets and is happy with his performance.

"I haven't bowled in a match till now but am bowling very well in the nets and it is only a matter of rhythm and time before I start bowling at my peak. I don't think it will be a big deal to find my touch."

"I am also batting very well in the nets," he informs with a smile.

But will the selectors be reluctant to try him in the Pakistan series straight away?

"They will have to do it in some match, why not the Pakistan series?" he said.

"In Pakistan, India also went in one match with three seamers. The wickets are similar here and there is no reason why we can try out the same strategy. I know Harbhajan and Kumble are playing very well, but let's see. At the end of the day the team has to win, whatever combination you opt for."

Looking back at the India-Pakistan series, Balaji picked up 12 wickets in the three-Test series and created quite a stir with his fearless batting down the order.

"Irfan and I gained valuable experience in the one-day series in Australia. That really taught us what to expect at the international level. It also made us confident.

"Both of us swing the ball very well and I think that's what clicked for us. We were also able to get the initial breakthroughs in Pakistan."

For now though the Tamil Nadu bowler is looking forward to play in the Challenger series starting from February 7 in Mumbai. Balaji thinks he will gain vital match practice in the one-day games and will also be able to test his endurance.

It may also be the last series with the Indian players for the team physio Andrew Leipus.

"We will definitely miss him. He has been so friendly, so good with all of us. We see him as a team member and it going to be tough to replace him," he said of the Australian.