"Currently I am using 85 per cent of my run-up. Hopefully I will be able to use my full run-up soon", he said.

Indian team physio John Gloster is advising Patel on his current rehabilitation schedule. Munaf said his prime target was to become fully fit. "After the back muscle spasm problem in the Bangladesh tour, I am concentrating on regaining full fitness. Had it been some other injury, it would have taken a longer time to cure."

Patel, who has taken 26 wickets from 22 ODIs, was not unduly perturbed about the new pacers competing for berths in the national team. "The competition is always there. There will be pressure also. Whoever performs well under tough conditions will surely get picked to play for India.

"I am not looking at the past. I am positive about my future. I am working hard to achieve my target. I will be able to bowl with the same pace as before," he said.

Javagal Srinath, the former Indian fast bowler, felt that Munaf looked promising during the sessions at the pace academy. "It's been pretty good," Srinath told ANI. He has been open, open for ideas. He is learning fast... He seems good. The match fitness is something, which he has to declare on his own, but otherwise you can see the spark in Munaf, pace is good. He looks alright."

On the other hand Piyush Chawla, the 18-year old legspinner, says he sees a bigger role for himself in the one-day internationals following Anil Kumble's exit from the 50-overs game but he is keen to cement his place in the Test team too.

"I think [with Kumble's retirement] I will get to play a lot of that [ODIs], but I am aiming for a permanent position in both the teams," Chawla said.

Chawla said he was not overawed by bowling to the likes of Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs. "They are great players but not bigger than Tendulkar," said Chawla.

Chawla says he has become a more confident bowler after dismissing Sachin Tendulkar in domestic cricket. "In domestic cricket, I have got Sachin Tendulkar out. If I can get his wicket, I can dismiss any batsman in the world." Chawla had bowled Tendulkar with a googly in the Challenger Trophy event at the start of the last season.

Looking back at the tour of Ireland, Chawla wished he had taken more wickets. "I am happy but not satisfied. I wanted to take more wickets," Chawla told the Deccan Chronicle. "I bowled well and created chances, I am happy with my bowling but didn't get wickets. Bowling well is in my hands which I tried but wickets are something not up to you. It has been a good tour and a great experience as I got a chance to be on the field with the seniors of the team.