Team management never let me play against CSK after taking MS Dhoni's wicket: Sreesanth

It is a well-known fact that the Indian cricket team’s former mental conditioning coach, Paddy Upton, recently came up with his autobiography named ‘Barefoot Coach’. In the book, he wrote about an infamous incident that happened in the Rajasthan Royals dressing room back in 2013. Upton was appointed as RR head coach for that season.

Explaining that incident, Upton wrote that Sreesanth had a massive outburst after being axed from the game against CSK in IPL 2013. He further went on to write that the pacer abused him and Rahul Dravid for dropping him from the XI. The speedster was also given the direction to go back home, interestingly, all this happened just 24 hours before his arrest on May 16, 2013.

I don’t hate MS Dhoni or CSK: Sreesanth

Sreesanth, reacting to the above-mentioned incident, gave his stand on Helo live on Friday. He dismissed Paddy Upton’s claims and clarified in a clear tone that there was no rivalry or argument with Rahul Dravid, “I could never disrespect a man like Rahul Dravid. He is the best captain. I was angry because I was not part of the squad during the CSK match. I asked the reason for the same.”

Later, Sreesanth went to express his displeasure over Paddy Upton’s book and he also gave a statement on CSK rivalry, “Yes, I want to play against CSK and want to win against them. But I don’t know the exact reason for keeping me out. In the Durban match, I bowled to MS Dhoni and took his wicket. After that match, I did not get any chance to play against CSK. Team management never gave me proper reason. I don’t hate Dhoni or CSK, but I go with color. CSK jersey resembles the Australian team, that’s all,” added Sreesanth.

The former Indian pacer went on to add that the RR coach was not respected by many players as he doesn’t have good stats as an international cricketer and also requested Upton to explain the reason why he wrote such statements in his book.

“Paddy Upton was not respected by many players in the team. He was not that big of a player. But I used to have good conversation with him. I really don’t know what made him to write this. He should only explain the reason,” Sreesanth concluded.