Fit-again Sandeep targets more pace

In July this year, Punjab medium-pacer Sandeep Sharma was preparing himself for an important opportunity - India A's tour to Australia. Two days before he was to join the India A squad, however, that opportunity closed due to a stress fracture in his back.

At the time, Sandeep wasn't sure he would be able to recover in time for the Ranji Trophy, which had been preceded by the limited-overs' tournaments. A rehab programme devised by the physiotherapists at the National Cricket Academy helped him recover in time for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and he has already made a strong start to this domestic season. Sandeep, who insists he has regained full fitness, will be leading Punjab's pace attack against Maharashtra in a Ranji Trophy Group B match, starting on Sunday.

"It was frustrating. I knew I would miss Australia, CLT20, Duleep Trophy and possibly Vijay Hazare and Ranji Trophy as well. But I was fortunate to have recovered in time and make a mark in the one-dayers," Sandeep told ESPNcricinfo, after a rigorous training session at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium at Gahunje, on the outskirts of Pune.

"The injury that I had was one of the most common among fast bowlers, so I didn't have much to worry about," he said. "When you have proper information and guidance about maintaining your body - and I have been lucky since I have been going to the NCA since my Under-15 days - it becomes easier to know and look after your body. I have fully recovered and the injury has no bearing on my body anymore."

Sandeep's strong show since his return has cleared any doubts over his fitness. His combined haul of 20 wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the Deodhar Trophy is currently the highest for any bowler during this season's List A matches. He followed it up with a five-for in Punjab's Ranji Trophy game against Vidarbha in Nagpur earlier this week.

Over the last five years, Sandeep has emerged as one of the most talented pace bowlers in India. He was first noticed when, as a 17-year-old, he made it to India's squad for the Under-19 World Cup in 2010. Two years later, he finished India's victorious U-19 World Cup campaign as his team's joint-highest wicket-taker. In between, he made his first-class debut for Punjab, in November 2011, a level of cricket that Sandeep says is, "far more superior and challenging than the U-19 standard".

He showed his prowess with a tally of 41 wickets in the 2012-13 season of the Ranji Trophy, and followed it up with another 36 in the last season. The IPL also provided him with exposure after he finished as the highest wicket-taker for Kings XI Punjab in the 2014 edition.

Swing is his key weapon, but Sandeep realises that he needs to add a bit more pace to become a more effective bowler at the highest level. "I am working on it. Developing pace is priority. Over the last couple of years, I have managed to raise my speed from 120s to the 130s [kph]. I am 21 right now, my bones and muscles will be stronger in a couple of years. I have been following the schedule prepared by the trainer and have also started following a nutritionist's programme," he said.