New Delhi: Missing out on an opportunity to participate in the recently concluded Emerging Players Tournament in Australia due to an injury, Punjab and Pune Warriors' leg-spinner Rahul Sharma is ready to make a comeback in the domestic tournaments to stake a claim for a selection to the senior side.
Talking to cricketnext.com, the tall leg-spinner, who had a phenomenal season with the Pune franchise in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), said he looks forward to performing at the upcoming Challenger series, the premier limited-over domestic competition.
Sharma, however rues at missing out on the opportunity to show his quality in Australia where his young teammates helped India win both the four-day and limited-over competitions.
"I am disappointed about missing out on a possible chance in Australia but now I have completely recovered and will display my skills at the Challenger series," said Rahul who extracts a lot of bounce from the wicket because of his height.
The 24-year-old bowler, while playing for the Deccan Chargers in the third season of the IPL, was diagnosed with a facial nerve dysfunction that affected his vision. But the determined Rahul worked with doctors in order to recover to play cricket again.
"That period was extremely tough for me, but with doctors' help now I am 90 per cent fine and ready to go," said the emerging spinner.
Blaming the jam-packed schedule behind Team India's downfall in their ongoing tour to England, Rahul said most of the Indian players were tired before going for the England series.
"We have been playing non-stop cricket in the last few months. First the tour to South Africa, followed by the World Cup, then the IPL and the tour to the West Indies. The hectic schedule took its toll on players," said the 24-year-old.
Though Rahul is well aware of the possibility of a vacant spot after an injury to out-of-form Harbhajan Singh, he believes it's not possible to replace the Indian pro.
"Harbhajan has done very well for India and his records speak for itself, but replacing an experienced spinner like him will be extremely tough." said the Jalandhar born lad.
Rahul, who had made his first-class debut for Punjab against Rajasthan in 2006, has taken 16 wickets in nine first-class matches.
And he took the same number of wickets in his 14 outings for Pune Warriors in IPL-4.
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