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<p align="center"><span style="font-size: 8pt">Lakshmipathy Balaji </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Lakshmipathy Balaji admitted he was feeling a touch nervous about his international comeback after nearly three years in the wilderness. <br /><br />The Tamil Nadu medium pacer who has been selected as replacement for Munaf Patel for the last three ODIs in Sri Lanka told MiD DAY, "I am making a comeback and naturally I am feeling the goose bumps. But, it's more because of the excitement. I hope to get my chance and prove myself." <br /><br /><strong>Stress fracture<br /></strong>Ironically, Balaji last played for India in Sri Lanka in an ODI in 2005. A stress fracture of the back kept him out of the game. He returned to first-class cricket this season. <br /><br />Balaji has been the most remarkable story of the current domestic season and has won his place thanks to his 36 wickets from seven games at 17.50 for Tamil Nadu. <br /><br />"I have been doing well at the domestic level and the next level is international cricket. I was expecting a call-up at some point of time," said Balaji a couple of hours before boarding the flight to Colombo last evening.<br /><br />Looking back at his struggle to recover from injury, he said, "It's a big motivation for me just to be where I am now. I am thrilled by the selection. It's a good opportunity for me. I have done the hardwork and I hope the results will be sweet for me."</p>

Injured Flintoff hopeful for first Test

Lakshmipathy Balaji admitted he was feeling a touch nervous about his international comeback after nearly three years in the wilderness.

I was expecting a call-up, says comeback man Balaji

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I was expecting a call-up, says comeback man Balaji

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