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I’ve matured: Sreesanth

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: S. Sreesanth is among the new-age cricketers who have caught more attention for their over-the-top display of attitude on the cricket field.

Often in the past, this Kerala paceman has played to the galleries with a needless show of aggression and hit headlines.

The act of making faces at the batsmen became associated with Sreesanth until he wisely realised that the International Cricket Council was not amused.

Fear of being fined or banned loomed large and the young man was quick to read between the lines.

Anger-management was his obvious priority and yoga, ayurveda and most significantly, self-restraint, made sure Sreesanth did not invite trouble from the ICC.

“I could have faced a ban of at least three Tests had I messed up again. Whenever I take the field, I keep it in mind,” was the candid admission from a chastened Sreesanth when he met newspersons on the sidelines of the launch of a scholarship programme.

“I told myself that there is a very thin line between foolishness and bravery. So when I got angry over something, I just rushed back to my run-up to calm myself,” said the god-fearing speedster.

Hoping to do better

Back from a layoff forced by a shoulder injury, Sreesanth was not exactly satisfied with his performance down under but hoped to do “better in the upcoming home series against South Africa”.

He said that he chose not to go for surgery that could have put him out of action for six months and instead went for a 21-day ayurvedic treatment programme that got him ready for the one-day tri-nation series in Australia.

“I will just try to keep the basics right,” declared the 25-year-old who acknowledged the contributions of Venkatesh Prasad and Robin Singh in making him a better bowler.

“I am a much more matured cricketer now,” he said.

The upcoming home series against South Africa will be a good opportunity for everyone to watch Sreesanth who indicates that he has traded maturity for flamboyance.

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