Sweet homecoming for Balaji

Laxmipathy Balaji may have been out of international cricket for three years but the manner in which he was greeted by the Indian team and the support staff it seems he has been a regular. A bear hug by coach Gary Kirsten at the breakfast table set the tone.
Next up was Muthiah Muralitaharan, Balaji's Chennai Super Kings team-mate. The Chennai bowler stood up to shake hands with the Lankan legend, who then had the players in splits with his ready wit.Most of the discussion was centred around the IPL, with Murali leading the way.
"Why don't you tell him (franchisee) that I want to leave," he advised one Indian swing bowler, who plays for a team owned by a flamboyant businessman. "What kind of batsman you have. He well-left deliveries in a T20 game," remarked Murali.
In between, somebody said, "Balaji, yeh bahut goli deta hain!" Bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad too joined the conversation after a quick exchange of greetings with Balaji. "Are you going to play him today," asked Murali. "Yes, we are," confirmed Prasad with a straight face. "Aye, Balaji bowl only full tosses, eh," ordered Murali to another round of laughter.
A rookie Indian player, who sat at the adjacent table, was also drawn into the conversation when Murali asked him, "Who are the new players in your (IPL) team?" "Nobody", responded the youngster. "What? You are going ahead with the same team?" Murali asked.
The Indian replied in the affirmative, saying an Aussie is likely to head to Mumbai Indians. The word 'Aussie' was enough to raise Murali's sensors. "Is he good?" Murali wondered. "Yes." "He may be good against pace but he is suspect (to spin)," Murali said.