Thursday 8 December 2016 20:37, UK
Haseeb Hameed's return to India to watch his new England colleagues has brought him "mixed emotions".
Hameed has been back home, between England's defeat in Mohali last week and the start of the fourth Test in Mumbai, to have surgery on the badly-broken left hand which ended his tour.
The 19-year-old opener impressed many of cricket's soundest judges with two half-centuries in his first six Test innings, the second scored despite being compromised by the pain of his broken little finger.
Hameed returned in time to watch from the Wankhede Stadium stands, alongside his family, as his replacement Keaton Jennings hit a century on debut to raise hopes that England may yet be able to battle back from 2-0 down with two to play.
Asked how he was reacting as merely a spectator rather than participant, Hameed said: "I guess it's mixed emotions in that sense.
"I'm very happy for the lads - and for Keaton in particular, to make a convincing start is great for him and great for English cricket. But of course as a cricketer, you want to be out there and be the one performing."
However, Hameed is refusing to be too downcast at the cruel blow which has interrupted his Test career at such an early stage.
"I'm sure there's something better in store for me out there, because of this injury," he added. "I'm a big believer in tough times bring out the best in you."
He admits nonetheless he did not want to accept his tour was over when England's medics first explained last week he must fly home to have a plate inserted in his hand.
"When I got told, I was pretty taken aback," Hameed said. "I didn't expect it. To hear I had to go home to get surgery, it did hit me - I was pretty devastated at the time.
"I tried to persuade the coaches and the doctor to find a way to work around that - just take some painkillers and strap it up and just get on with it in the games. But for the long-term benefit, it just felt better for me to get the surgery done."
Before leaving, Hameed was privileged when India captain Virat Kohli spoke generously with him following the Mohali Test.
He said: "I said at the start 'I'll try not to make it sound like an interview, but it probably will be'.
"I was just trying to get an insight into the way he goes about his business, what he thinks - because that's what sets him apart from other players in the world.
"I was just trying to get into his mind as much as anything - and he was great as well. A lot of people see him as this aggressive, borderline-arrogant sort of person on the field.
"But I think it's pure passion and his desire to win that comes out on the field. Off the field he's very humble, I found, and very open with me - and I was very grateful for that."
Watch day two of the fourth Test between India and England, in Mumbai, from 3.45am on Friday, Sky Sports 2.
