But on the third day's play against Tamil Nadu, Jadeja managed to get through an uninterrupted spell of 12 overs and seemed fairly happy with the results. "I [am] used to bowling long spells," he was quoted as saying by PTI. "Nothing new for me. I was enjoying... ball was turning. The pitch was assisting me. When we were batting, the odd ball was spinning, the odd ball was keeping low, so I was keen to bowl a long spell. Luckily I got wickets."

When asked about his fitness, Jadeja said he felt "no discomfort... not really" and added that he was "almost there... it is just a matter of little bit of confidence. Luckily I bowled enough overs in the match, like almost 37 overs in the game (41.1 - 24 in the first innings and 17.1 in the second).

"So feeling very good, playing a game after a long time. Hopefully I am good to go now. It was tough on the first day but as the game progressed, I was feeling good. When you take a five-for in a first-class game it is always good."

Up next for Jadeja is an India training camp in Nagpur, which will host the first of four Tests against Australia starting February 9. He was picked in this squad subject to fitness too, so a 29th first-class five-wicket haul should come in handy.