'It was a mistake. And the period away from cricket was a torture.'
The time spent away from cricket felt like a "torture" but India opener Prithvi Shaw believes he returned hungrier after serving a doping ban last year.
Shaw was handed a back-dated eight-month suspension by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the doping violation after the opener said he had inadvertently ingested a prohibited substance.
The 20-year-old, who smashed a century on his Test debut against West Indies in 2018, returned to international cricket during the tour of New Zealand earlier this year.
"It was a mistake. And the period away from cricket was a torture," the Delhi Capitals player told fans of his Indian Premier League (IPL) team in an Instagram Live chat.
"Doubts and questions arise, but I kept the faith and belief... When the ban got over, and I returned to domestic cricket, I was hungrier than before.
"I picked up my bat and realised I hadn't lost my touch at all. If anything, that time off made me a more determined person."
Shaw made his one-day debut in New Zealand even though India were whitewashed in the three-match series.
Like any professional cricketer, Shaw is cooling his heels at home after this year's IPL was indefinitely postponed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Shaw stressed that patience is key in coping with the lull in the cricket world.
"Mental strength is very important at this time, given that we are all restricted indoors," he said.
"A lot of us don't have patience for things in life, so now is a great time to work on it.
"I've been working out a bit indoors and shadow practising to maintain my fitness levels.
"I've also been helping my father in the kitchen. I can cook eggs quite well, and I'm trying to learn a few new things."
