'My Best Is Yet To Come'

One of the few bright spots during India's dismal tour of South Africa, the Kerala seamer may have emerged as the new pace spearhead, but the 23-year-old reveals he has more plans -- improving his batting and becoming an all-rounder.

T.K. Keshavan

Updated on: 11 January 2007 12:00 am

One of the few successes on India's disastrous tour of South Africa, SSreesanth says his best is yet to come.

The 23-year-old Kerala paceman began as a leg-spinner and has now emerged asa spearhead of the Indian pace attack. But he has more plans -- improving hisbatting and becoming an all-rounder.

"My best is yet to come. I hope I would be able to live upto theexpectations of the people. I need everyone's blessings," he said in aninterview in Kochi.

The Kerala bowler acknowledges that every outing in India colours has helpedhim mature as a bowler, only the second player to make it to top flight cricketfrom the state.

"My goal is to see India win. We want to win each and every game,"he said.

Sreesanth is aware that only a consistent performance will help him cementhis place in the national team.

"If I do well I will be in the team and if I don't do well, I will beout, I am sure about it. I am ready for setbacks. I am always realistic. I amnot in a dream world."

Sreesanth, who earned all-round praise for his show in South Africa, is notwilling to rest on his laurels.

"I am a learner, I am still learning. I will not take things forgranted. I have to really do well. I have to do regular practice then only I canbe confident of performing well in the next game," said Sreesanth whofinished with 18 wickets from three Tests, equalling Anil Kumble and JavagalSrinath's record in South Africa.

"My dream was to capture 25 wickets in the series. But I thank God thatI could get 18 wickets and equal Kumble and Srinath. They are legends in Indiancricket and to hold the record along with them is a great feeling."

Sreesanth acknowledged that seniors played a big role in shaping his careerand the time spent in the dressing room had been a huge learning experience.

"I am really lucky to have played alongside seniors like Sachin bhai,Rahul bhai, Anil bhai, Sourav bhai and Laxman. They are allvery nice. During my setbacks they gave me lot of encouragement.

"All my teammates and coach Greg Chappell are very cooperative. From mydebut match in Nagpur (last year), I have been getting a lot of support from theseniors," he said.

The team man that he is, Sreesanth is now keen to improve his batting skillsand chip in with useful contributions lower down the order.

"I will not say that I want to concentrate on my bowling alone, likeothers. I can surely become a good all-rounder," he said.

Looking back at the tour of South Africa where the Indians lost both theone-day and Test series, he said, "It is not always easy to perform welloutside the country and especially in South African conditions. We tried ourbest but maybe in some points we were not good enough."

On his prospects of making it to the World Cup team, he said, "I stand agood chance. I hope to be a part of it."

Interestingly, Sreesanth grew up idolising Sunil Gavaskar and Tendulkar andstarted as a leg spinner and an opening batsman before switching to pacebowling.

"My brother Deepu was also a cricketer and he used to talk aboutGavaskar when I was a small kid. From that time onwards I started admiringGavaskar.

"I am still learning, I have to bowl with more intensity. India willplay a few ODIs against West Indies and Sri Lanka before the World Cup and Iwant to make the most of it," said the bowler who has 29 wickets from 22ODIs.

Sreesanth rates Brian Lara's wicket as his most prized scalp among the 37Test wickets he has captured from eight Test matches at an average of 25.97 andan economy rate of 3.37.

"Every batsman to whom I have bowled has been very tough (but) I rateLara's wicket as most precious I have taken in my career so far. Of course, allthe 37 wickets are good as they have been taken in international matches."

On returning his best bowling figures of 5 for 40 in the historicJohannesburg Test which India won by 123 runs, he said "it should have beensomething like 5 for 27 but I gave away some extra runs".

Sreesanth said he was not disappointed at missing out on the man of theseries award. "Till the second Test at Durban I had hope. Had the thirdTest ended in a draw, I might have got the honour. But I am not disappointed. Itencourages me to do better next time."

Sreesanth's message to aspiring fast bowlers is simple: "Work hardwithout expecting something in return. Always be patient, believe in yourselfand dream high. One day the hard work will pay dividend."

PTI