"Look, I don't think it's ever too late. It depends. I feel any selections should be based on a player's performance and fitness, not age criteria. Because if you feel that a guy's age is 37 or 38, and he can't run or bowl, then it's okay to say straightforwardly, 'Brother, you can't do it anymore; neither is your ball doing the talking, nor are you bowling as fast, and in the field too, you don't look as fit as you used to.' You can say that straight away," the 38-year-old said when asked about his India comeback. "So as a player, I only think that whatever happens should be clear, communicated properly with the player, and they shouldn't be judged by age. If your fitness is good and you are still bowling in that rhythm and flow, what is the problem? Because players from other countries are playing at this age and doing quite well. But fitness should be the main thing. After that, if they feel your fitness is not up to the mark, then fine, fair enough! I can't compete with the young guys or the new bowlers and batsmen coming in, so I think my time is up, and I should think about what to do next. But if you're fit, performing well, and everything is great, why should there be this gap? There shouldn't be," the Punjab pacer questioned. "We just talked about this. I said, yes, if something is going on in your mind, if you, as a selector, have thought of something, pass it on to the player. That's much better than not communicating and leaving them unsure whether you'll select them. Just speak clearly; that's much better than living in false hope that it will happen. If things are crystal clear, you can choose a better next step. But everyone knows—who doesn't want to represent their country again, who doesn't want to see their comeback?" he admitted. "When I came back, I didn't get that kind of support and backup from there that should have been given. There, it was more about getting Umesh out of the picture. The (Vidarbha) coach was very happy, thinking, 'There's only one guy left, one senior left. If he goes out, my word will be heard everywhere and whatever I say will happen.' Those things happened," the 38-year-old India pacer revealed.