“It has been pretty good,” said the 23-year-old who, six weeks back, wasn’t in the running for a Test place before a spate of injuries to the quicks fast-tracked his Test comeback. “I am pretty happy bowling with the new ball, and to get it in Test cricket is really special. I want to get early breakthroughs for the team and it happened here. I was also very happy with the way I batted.”

Pathan talked about the ‘difficult’ 11-month period when he was out of the Test squad. “When you don't do well, things become difficult. There is a lot of negative talk around you, and you yourself become negative," conceded Pathan, out of favour after the South African tour at the start of the year until the Bangalore Test against Pakistan last month.

"To come out of it, that's where your character lies. I worked very hard on my action and my game when I was out of the team. It's very important, irrespective of what people may think, that I feel good about the way I bowl, and I am happy with how I am bowling now. I have worked really hard, and that hard work is paying off,” he said.

Seeking to end all talk about his pace, Pathan observed, “I am not a fast bowler, I am just a medium-pacer whose job is to bowl in the right areas. Forget about pace and swing. To me, it is important to do the job that the captain and the team requires of me. If you think too much about pace and those kind of things, you will unnecessarily put pressure on yourself. The idea is to stay relaxed and get the job done.”

Pathan acknowledged the role played by bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad. “He is always talking to us (pacers). He was a pretty good bowler himself, so that helps. He communicates very well. Personally, from the time I have come back, he has been up there helping me with my action and in other areas too. He has definitely been a big help.”