Speedster Shaun Tait says his time away from cricket was invaluable, but he is ready to rekindle his international career.
Tait walked away from the game in January citing mental and physical exhaustion, but Australian selectors have drafted him in as one of four players to replace squad members currently in India with Australia A.
Tait, still regarded one of Australia's most exciting fast-bowling prospects, will travel to India as part of a group to replace batsman Simon Katich and spinners Beau Casson, Bryce McGain and Jason Krejza.
Katich and the spinners will return home after playing two three-day matches against India A, leaving the rest of the squad to play five one-day matches against India A and New Zealand A.
Tait, 25, shocked Australian cricket when he announced he needed time away from the game after a poor Test against India in Perth, in January.
He later met with high-profile sportsmen who had suffered depression, but denied he had been diagnosed with the illness.
Having worked hard at training camps since deciding he wanted to play again, Tait said he felt the fittest he had ever been and refreshed from his exile.
"The break has been invaluable, it wasn't an easy decision to make but it has paid off," he told reporters in Adelaide today.
"It is not easy to play cricket 24/7, but the break gave my body a rest and gave me time to remember why I am so passionate about the game.
"I've definitely got my passion back. I've got itchy feet for sure.
"I have talked at length with my physios and we all agree that I am ready to play. I have told Cricket Australia I am ready."
Tait has been in pre-season training for four months and been bowling twice a week for the past six weeks.
The performances of Casson, McGain and Krejza over the next two games will provide Australian selectors with an insight into who to pick as the main spinner for the Test series against India in October.
Katich will also aim to use the games to bolster his chances of earning selection for the tour.
The quartet will be replaced by Victorian captain Cameron White, who will take over as skipper from Katich, and Tasmanian bowlers Brett Geeves and Xavier Doherty.
Geeves made his one-day international debut today, against Bangladesh at Darwin's TIO Stadium, while White also played.
The A squad left for India last Thursday and will start their first match on Wednesday.
