13 Facts about S Sreesanth - The Spirited Indian Fast Bowler

Former India fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth has had a very eventful career. He was one of the most temperamental bowlers the cricketing world has seen, ironically his name translates to ‘calm’. During his prime, Sreesanth once led the Indian pace attack and was a key part of the team in both Test and ODIs. His bowling was very close to being perfect. He had the speed and other fine set of qualities a fast bowler generally requires to succeed. The Kerala speedster was passionate about the game which reflected in the intensity with which he played every time. He was noted for his exuberant and emotional behavior, especially whilst appealing for and celebrating wickets. Here are some interesting facts about S Sreesanth.

1. Born on:

Shanthakumaran Sreesanth was born on February 6, 1983 in Kothamangalam, Kerala to Santhakumaran Nair and Savithri Devi.

2. Family:

Sreesanth has one elder brother and two elder sisters. His brother Dipu Santhan owns a music company in Kochi and his eldest sister Nivedita is a television actress in Kerala. Sreesanth’s elder sister Divya got married to Madhu Balakrishnan, a famous South Indian playback singer.

3. Personal Life:

On 12 December 2013, Sreesanth married his girlfriend Bhuvneshwari Kumari of Jaipur’s Shekhawat family at Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple in Kerala.

4. Once an aspiring Anil Kumble:

Sreesanth initially was a leg-spinner in his childhood and modeled his action on India’s leading Test wicket-taker Anil Kumble, his future Test captain. However, his habit of bowling yorkers led him to convert to fast bowling, after being encouraged by his elder brother.

5. Ranji hat-trick:

In November 2004, Sreesanth entered the record books when he took a hat-trick against Himachal Pradesh in a Ranji trophy game.

6. Test debut:

He received his maiden Test call in the home series against England in March 2006, in place of Zaheer Khan. He claimed 4/95 in his debut appearance in the 1st Test in Nagpur, where he opened the bowling with Irfan Pathan.

7. Most memorable Test performance:

Sreesanth’s most significant performance to date in Test cricket was his role in the first Test of India’s 2006 tour to South Africa at Johannesburg. After losing the limited-overs series 4–0, he took 5/40 in a display of pace and swing to help dismiss South Africa. This performance helped India bowl out South African for just 84, leading to first Indian win on South African soil, for which he was named man of the match

8. “I can smell Blood”:

Sreesanth was also involved in a highly publicized confrontation with paceman André Nel. Nel delivered a series of fast balls targetted at his body; Sreesanth uncomfortably evading. Nel taunted him by gesturing to his chest. On the next ball, Sreesanth gave him the charge and hit the ball straight over the bowler’s head into the stands for a six. He then whirled his bat in enthusiasm and broke into an impromptu dance, making fun of Nel. Recalling the incident, Sreesanth said: “As soon as I walked into bat, Nel said ‘I can smell blood. You do not have the guts.’ Showing his emblem on the shirt, Nel said ‘I am playing for this. You are a scared fellow, rabbit. I will get you next ball’.

9. Black spot:

On 16 May 2013, the Delhi police arrested Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan from Mumbai, on charges of spot-fixing during IPL 6. He confessed to spot-fixing, according to police. However, Sreesanth has always maintained that he is innocent and that he was forced to sign confession statements. The BCCI barred him from any form of cricket and he has not played competitive cricket since then. On 13 September 2013, Sreesanth was banned for life by BCCI’s disciplinary committee. However, in July 2015, he was acquitted in the spot-fixing case.

10. Superstitions:

When his form slumped in 2006, Sreesanth had tried to change his luck by changing his name to ‘Sreesunth’, on numerological advice. But, he later stated that he was not going to change the name due to sentimental reasons. The word ‘santh’ in his name is derived from his father’s name Santhakumaran Nair.

11. Infamous ‘Slapgate’:

On April 25, 2008, Sreesanth was in the center of a highly controversial event during the Mumbai Indians versus Kings XI Punjab game. Harbhajan, leading Mumbai Indians side, allegedly slapped Sreesanth when latter said something to him which the off-spinner found offensive. The paceman was seen crying bitterly on the ground. At the end of the match, Bhajji apologized to the paceman in the dressing room of the Punjab team reportedly.

12. Other than cricket:

Sreesanth is a student of Psychology and a proficient Breakdancer. He became a national champion in break dancing when he was in his eighth standard. He has also appeared in several TV shows where he has exhibited his dancing skills.

13. Sreesanth the actor:

His dancing skills are very well-known and Sreesanth will now display his acting skills in the upcoming movie ‘Big Picture’ and will co-star with the likes of Prakash Raj and Prabhu Deva.