Whether its different hairstyles, random changes in the bowling action or atking the bull by the horns, Shantakumaran Sreesanth has done all this and lived to tell the tale and come out on top. For, in a country where urgent displays of passion, emotion and hunger by sportsmen are largely scowled upon(remember Ganguly-bashing after Chapell’s email controversy?), Sreesanth is always poised on a preacarious edge between bold bravery and downright obsenity. The sudden rise of the Kerela speedster into the upper echelons of world cricket proves yet again that the inexplicable practice of choosing only big-city players has been abandoned(Kaif, Dhoni etc also hail from relatively unheard of places).
A fierce growl expressing aggression, a possessed look in soulful eyes and a confident body language is enough to label this twenty- something hot blooded player to be called the "Next Big Thing" in Indian fast bowling. True, the critics and public said the same of Irfan Pathan(the enigma of this decade) three years back, but with Sreesanth it doesn’t look that way. Fiery, raw, unbridled pace and a seam-up way of delivering the ball mean that he is capable of using the crucial new ball to his advantage. Zaheer Khan is the only other Indian seamer who knows how to utilise the new ball(Agarkar and VRV SIngh have simply no clue as to what to do with the new cherry).
To add to all this, he has an inborn rebel;lious streak in his veins, which sets him apart from ost other Indian cricketers. With enough panache and bravado to look a stormy Andre Nel in the eye and bend every rue in the book to kill time on thae last day of a test, Sreesanth’s uncurtailed agression is a definite virtue at this time. But let him not get too over confident: for success is the evil witch that can cast an evil spell even on the most skilled of cricketers, and Sreesanth is but a young lad at this stage.
But the writing is on the wall: Sreesanth is definitely a prospect to watch out for in the next couple of years. Not only with the ball, but with the bat too. He is capable of capturing the moment and grabbing the initiative at any time. On-field historics coupeld with the ability to hit the big shots can intimidate even the most experienced of cricketers. In domestic cricket as well, he has stared down long and hard to greats like Sachin Tendulkar and V.Sehwag at every given oppurtunity. May God be with this young seamer and convert his raw talent into an icily effective temperament. Cheers to Indian cricket!
Full Name: Shanthakumaran Sreesanth
Born: 6th February 1983, Kothamangalam, Kerala, India
Major Teams: Kerala, India
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Sreesanth made his ODI and Test debut in India only, but has toured the West Indies and South Africa in his short international career.