Dashing forward Dhanraj Pillay says he has completely recovered from the knee injury he suffered during the Azlan Shah hockey tournament in January.

"After three months I played a practice match yesterday [Tuesday] against the India under-21 team, which is having a camp here [Mumbai] before their participation in the junior Asia Cup at Karachi, and I felt completely fit," Pillay said on Wednesday.

"In fact, I enjoyed playing so much that I decided to come back in the evening to share my experiences with the boys," he added.

Asked about the composition of the under-21 team, he said: "This is a very good team and they have had good international exposure. With their experience they can do very well in the forthcoming championship.

"If you see the line-up, there are eight players in the team who have played for the country at senior level; some of them have played alongside me."

Asked about his chances of returning to the senior team, which is now playing a four-nation tournament, involving Australia, South Africa and Malaysia, the former India captain said, "I have kept myself fully fit. I played with these youngsters to get a feel of my fitness and really enjoyed myself."

Pillay has been rested along with seniors like Baljit Singh Dhillon and Baljit Saini for the Australia trip.