cricket_fan345
New Member
Sreesanth and Pak clashes
SREESANTH EXCITED BY PAKISTAN CLASHES
India's newest bowling hero Shanthakumaran Sreesanth is relishing the chance to lock horns with Pakistan once again.
Sreesanth, the man of the match in the seventh one-day international against England with career-best figures of six for 55, is part of the 15-man squad which left Mumbai on Sunday for the two matches in Abu Dhabi against Pakistan.
The games are being played to raise funds for the victims of the devastating earthquake in the sub-continent in October.
And the 22-year-old, who made his Test debut against the touring England side last month, believes it was his performance the last time he played Pakistan which inspired him to raise his game.
He played a key role in the fifth and final one-day clash on the tour of Pakistan - taking four for 58 as India wrapped up a 4-1 series triumph - and he believes that was the catalyst for his current form.
He said: "I think the Pakistan tour earlier this year has boosted my confidence and transformed me as a bowler.
"The Pakistan tour has given me a lot of confidence. After the tour, I started taking things differently.
"It has helped me. Now I am really looking forward to Abu Dhabi and the two matches."
Robin Uthappa, fresh from scoring 86 on his debut as India eased to victory over England in that final game in Indore, added it was a great honour to be playing alongside Rahul Dravid - and hailed the contribution of the skipper and coach Greg Chappell for his debut knock.
"I am glad I could contribute to the team's success in my first game. It's a great feeling," he said.
"I have played only one match with Rahul, who is from my state. But it's a great honour to bat alongside him. He is the captain of the side. I felt comfortable out there in the middle.
"They (Dravid and Chappell) didn't say much, except to work hard and play my natural game and play it to the best of my abilities."
The two games in Abu Dhabi are being played on Tuesday and Wednesday and the winners will receive a sparkling trophy with gold and diamond engravings on it.
The trophy, weighing 45kg and carved by artisans in the Pink City, has five players engraved at its base wearing India and Pakistan colours.
SREESANTH EXCITED BY PAKISTAN CLASHES
India's newest bowling hero Shanthakumaran Sreesanth is relishing the chance to lock horns with Pakistan once again.
Sreesanth, the man of the match in the seventh one-day international against England with career-best figures of six for 55, is part of the 15-man squad which left Mumbai on Sunday for the two matches in Abu Dhabi against Pakistan.
The games are being played to raise funds for the victims of the devastating earthquake in the sub-continent in October.
And the 22-year-old, who made his Test debut against the touring England side last month, believes it was his performance the last time he played Pakistan which inspired him to raise his game.
He played a key role in the fifth and final one-day clash on the tour of Pakistan - taking four for 58 as India wrapped up a 4-1 series triumph - and he believes that was the catalyst for his current form.
He said: "I think the Pakistan tour earlier this year has boosted my confidence and transformed me as a bowler.
"The Pakistan tour has given me a lot of confidence. After the tour, I started taking things differently.
"It has helped me. Now I am really looking forward to Abu Dhabi and the two matches."
Robin Uthappa, fresh from scoring 86 on his debut as India eased to victory over England in that final game in Indore, added it was a great honour to be playing alongside Rahul Dravid - and hailed the contribution of the skipper and coach Greg Chappell for his debut knock.
"I am glad I could contribute to the team's success in my first game. It's a great feeling," he said.
"I have played only one match with Rahul, who is from my state. But it's a great honour to bat alongside him. He is the captain of the side. I felt comfortable out there in the middle.
"They (Dravid and Chappell) didn't say much, except to work hard and play my natural game and play it to the best of my abilities."
The two games in Abu Dhabi are being played on Tuesday and Wednesday and the winners will receive a sparkling trophy with gold and diamond engravings on it.
The trophy, weighing 45kg and carved by artisans in the Pink City, has five players engraved at its base wearing India and Pakistan colours.