Dubai: India paceman S. Sreesanth believes he is “mature” enough to handle the challenges thrown at him during the tour of Australia.
The Kerala-born star did not travel with the initial touring party for the four-Test tour starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day due to fitness issues, but he’s expected to be available for the third and fourth Test matches, provided he proves he is fit and firing.
Sreesanth was criticised for his on-field behaviour against the Aussies when Ricky Ponting’s men travelled to the sub-continent for a successful one-day series a few months ago. But he feels there has been no love lost between the two sides and insists he will not kiss and make up, even if the hosts impose their own Aussie rules during the series.
“I don’t really worry about anything,” says the cheeky
24-year-old, who has played 11 Tests and 34 ODIs so far.
“When the Australians came to India, they had a tough time as well; I think it’s just part of the game. We all play cricket and even if I was a spectator watching that series, I would have been against India’s opponents.
“It’s very natural and I’m sure when we go out there, they too are going to come hard at us, especially since so much has already been said in the press.
“I know this trip to Australia is going to be hard, but I’m ready for the challenge and mature and strong enough to handle everything that comes my way.”
Sreesanth denies having overstepped the line against the visiting Aussies and feels the situation was blown out of proportion by the media.
“I have been playing cricket this way since my childhood; I know my limitations and I don’t think I crossed the line at any stage during that tour,” he rebuffed.
“Talking about Australia, what happened against them? There is nothing wrong with what happened there [in India], I wasn’t even warned, so I don’t think I crossed the ICC’s limits. The press must not mislead the people and should not be making comments suggesting I’m not performing.
“All I want to say is let me play my cricket and let me be who I’ve been. I’ve been this way since I started playing cricket and this is how I like to play. In fact, if you look back at that ODI series, I finished with the most wickets even though I played only four games.
“People will talk and I love proving people wrong, so I can say that until now life has been great and I have ensured I’m going to have a lot more fun in the future.”
Only time will tell if Sreesanth enjoys his time Down Under. The Aussie players may have forgotten his antics during the last tour, but it is unlikely that their fans would have done the same. Sreesanth, though, is bullish about his chances, claiming he has the ability to match a vocabulary that makes him feel self-important.
One of the stars of India’s triumph at the inaugural World Twenty20 championship in South Africa in September, Sreesanth did well during Pakistan’s recent visit.
He says his confidence stems from the fact that he enjoys the backing of his team-mates and the India cricket board (BCCI).
“My team-mates and the BCCI have been really supportive towards me. Not a single team-mate of mine has spoken against me; all they’ve ever said is ‘watch your limit’,” he said.
“I’m mature enough and know my limits; no one has to tell me where to stop. It comes naturally when you play the game hard. I’m still learning and there is a long road ahead. Right now, all I’m really focused on is playing cricket and I’m not really worried about what people are saying or thinking about me.
“The only thing I’m worried about is how I can go on and give 100 per cent all the time and that’s why I try to learn as much as I can from the situations I find myself in. I don’t try to portray any image; I just try to be myself and improve with every game.”
Former Australia great Glenn McGrath, who holds the world record for the highest number of Test wickets by a fast bowler, criticised Sreesanth recently, urging him to back his antics with some classy bowling performances.
“You can talk the talk, but if you can’t go out there and perform, then you’re not going to be around for very long,” McGrath was quoted as saying.
But Sreesanth had a typical reply to McGrath’s opinion.
“I respect him and was very fortunate to meet him during the Champions Trophy in Mohali. He gave me a signed cap there, which I treasure and still have in my room,” he said.
“But he is an Australian and is going to go hard at any player who is against his side.
“However, if these great players are talking about me, I think I must be on the right path. I have learned a lot from him, so it’s nice to hear comments like that, but I’m here to play and my performances will speak for itself.
“I’m not a bad human being, I believe in myself and without working hard and spending hours training, I don’t think I would have come this far. All I can do is wish him all the best because he will be a spectator when we go on tour to Australia.
“We are going to come hard at them as we don’t care which team we’re playing against.
“We just play to win and try our best. Nobody wants to lose, so we’ll play hard. That is a certainty.”
