Sreesanth: Bridle Him but Don't Smother Him
The so called Enfant Terrible of Indian Cricket is back. Back through the back door. I am not complaining.
But am I happy ? I am, I am. Not because Sree is from my adopted town Kochi. Not because I like Sree. But because, this World Cup needs Characters.
We will miss Symonds. Hayden, McGrath and Nel too will be missed. Dada has retired. We don't know when Show Pony Shoaib Aqthar will break down. Ponting isn't sure either. Asif and Amer stand no-balled. The lacuna created by the retirement of Warne is tough to be filled.
I just don't see any characters. Same Dhoni, Strauss, Tendulkar, Dan, Sanga and Binga; all talking goody goody nothings. How boring it all could have been ? It just isn't fair to expect Bhajji and less than a handful of people to entertain us when the going gets too serious.
So welcome Sree, we are happy for you. I feel bad for 'Pahelwan' Praveen. He definitely is our best new ball bowler. But Sree isn't far behind when the seam is in line and his head too is fine.
I hear a lot of noise about his temperament and tantrums. But I really feel all this is a little too overblown. Andre Nel, Glenn McGrath, Javd Miandad, Allen Donald and many others including our own Bhajji have behaved much worse on field. But only Sree gets all the bad press and negative vibes even from his own Captain.
When he was slapped by Bhajji during IPL-1, Bhajji got the suspension but Sree got all the bad publicity. Some people even went to the extent of rejoicing the episode. Ishant Sharma has been much more expensive but only Sreesanth's economy rate becomes an issue of prime time debate. Totally unfair.
Never consider me a supporter of bad behavior. But a little bit of aggression on field by an Indian bowler goes a long way in restoring the balance. The balance in favor of our beleaguered batsmen, who have been accused 'Flat Track Bullies'.
I have always believed Indian batsmen are exploited with 'short pitched barrage' by opponents mainly because our own bowlers don't give it back as well as they get. Just see the result when Sree bounced out Kallis with a beast at Durban. That aggression is what we need.
Aggression he indeed brings in tonnes. Dhoni reprimanded him when any other Captain would have patted him. Sree got the goat of Smith and then his wicket. He demolished the myth that only Indian batsmen were weak against bouncers. And what he got in return ? A public admonition from his Captain.
Hope Dhoni will be smarter this time. Sree is a passionate Cricketer who wants to take wickets and win matches for his country. He has done well in recent times in all forms of Cricket. He needs the support of his Captain and his Country. Bridle him for sure. Rein him in to certain extent, fine. But please don't smother him.
Allow him to breathe and he could be breathing fire. We need the fire and the passion !
S-Pun Doctor
Well said mate. Sreesanth is a genuine wicket-taker, and in any format that is a bonus. He has been "slapped" a bit too much by all and sundry. To be honest, he has tampered his antiques quite well of late and I was surprised at Dhoni's statement. If match referee and umpires complain to Dhoni, may be it is time for him to raise issue about some South African and Australian behaviour, which is though slightly tempered (esp for Aussies, defeats have something to do with it?), is still not very different from Sreesanth's antiques. I am sure if Sreesanth played for Australia or SAF, he would have been treated differently. Look at Mitch Johnson and kind of leeway he has been given in spite of "swinging" between sublime and ridiculous!! There in lies a lesson for Indian think tank.
ReplyDeleteYes Deep, Sreesanth gets to do a tightrope walk and all others including Bhajji get a long rope. Any other team would have made Sree a Star.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is with Dhoni, he isn't very fond of some players and fond of some. Sree unfortunately finds himself in the unfavored category. Otherwise, it is ridiculous to see a Captain publicly admonish a bowler who was primarily responsible for the Durban win !