'Fully fit' Varun Aaron ready for the hard yards

Injury-prone Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron says he is back to full fitness and raring to go.

The 23-year-old speedster has had to endure a tough time out on the sidelines since suffering a recurrence of a troublesome back injury during the Indian Premier League last year. But after opting for a surgery back in March this year, Aaron is pleased with the results of his recovery period.

"It feels great to be back," said Aaron in a release Friday. "Post the surgery, I've had a very comprehensive build up to my fitness and my bowling and I feel I am bowling at a 100 per cent now.

"I'm currently training with the fitness trainer, Rajnikant, at the MRF Pace Foundation before I join up with my Ranji team. There's less than a month to go before the Ranji Trophy season begins and I'm looking forward to bowling at full throttle by then," said the Jharkhand bowler.

Aaron, who won his first Test cap for India against the West Indies in November 2011 and was on the original Indian side set to tour Australia later that year before the injury first struck, tragically leading to his withdrawal from the squad, reflected on his agonizing time out of action. "To be out for one and a half years was obviously pretty tough," he said. "I wasn't making much progress with the rehab on my back. Then, with the BCCI, we decided to have the surgery which turned out to be extremely crucial in helping me recover.

"I also owe the guys at the National Cricket Academy a great deal as without them, I wouldn't have got to where I am now."

Aaron is eager to make up for lost time even if he reveals a return to the national team is not his immediate priority. "Injuries are not something you can control, but now I'm really eager to get going. Playing for India is obviously why I play this game, but for now the goal is to get back and feel good about my bowling once again. I would surely likely to have a successful domestic season for starters. If I do that, I'm sure the rest will take care of itself," he said.