[1]The presence of Malayalis was few and far between in international cricket — Sunil Valsan, Abey Kurvilla and Tinu Yohannan were the ones who managed to reach the top — till Shantakumaran Sreesanth burst onto the scene.
Sreesanth’s debut was so memorable that it sent Malayalis all over the world into raptures when he claimed 4/95 in the first Test in Nagpur against England, where he opened the bowling with Irfan Pathan.
Sreesanth says that he can never forget that first Test wicket. “On a hot day in the summer of 2006, something special happened in my life, something that changed things once and for all,” is how he describes it.
“Andrew Strauss was caught at slips by Laxman. It was then that the dream of a young boy finally became a reality. That’s how I would like to remember my first Test wicket,” says Sreesanth. “As any rookie would, I stuck to the basics and gave my very best, ball after ball.”
How exhilarating was the moment? “More than being on top of the world. Somewhere inside, I had to remind myself that this is it and now you’re a part of it. If I ever have to look for inspiration, all I do is rewind to that very moment that redefined my life,” he says.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/lead-cutout-13jpgcropdisplayjpg-782