Not very long ago, S Sreesanth was the toast of Indian cricket fans in South Africa. In 2006-07, he single-handedly bowled India to victory in the Johannesburg Test.
Not very long ago, S Sreesanth was the toast of Indian cricket fans in South Africa. In 2006-07, he single-handedly bowled India to victory in the Johannesburg Test. Later in the season, he was the man who took the catch that clinched India the 2007 World Twenty20 Cup. HARD TIMES: S Sreesanth
Mockery
He's back in this country and what a mockery he's making of himself. The fiery and feisty fast bowler has been a meek opponent at IPL-II. He's coming off an injury and is clearly not match fit.u00a0 He's not one of the most loved characters and has left himself vulnerable to be targeted by seething opponents like Matthew Hayden.
Sreesanth was also taken to the cleaners by Mumbai Indians' Dwayne Bravo, the day before and was smashed out of the attack for 21 runs off his first over. TA Sekar, who has trained Sreesanth at the MRF Pace Foundation and is here with the Delhi Daredevils, said: "That's what the game is all about. If he wasn't sure of giving his best, then he shouldn't have rushed himself (into playing)," Sekar told MiD DAY.
"Nobody can doubt his talent. But, he cannot just do his fitness training and bowl in a match. He should have bowled quite a few overs but he is bowling only at 125-128kmph when normally he bowls around 135-140. I'm not sure he is fit," said Sekhar.
"He has not played any cricket for the last six to eight months, so naturally he will be a bit out of sorts. And he will have this injury at the back of his mind."
It is widely felt that Sreesanth's problems have a lot to do with his attitude.
"He's a bit of a showman. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't," said Sekar.
Ironically, Sreesanth might do well to take some advice from Harbhajan Singh. Whatever the Indian off-spinner has done, he has not allowed his game to be affected in any way.
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