Hyderabad: Controversial Indian fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, better known as S Sreesanth, in an exclusive interview to ETV Bharat talked about his lockdown routine, family and his desire to play IPL, and the plan of Team India comeback. Sreesanth's ban will come to end in September. So he is planning to return to the cricket field shunning the allegations of 2013 spot-fixing controversy.
WATCH: Sreesanth's exclusive interview with ETV Bharat. Excerpts...
How are you spending time at home amid COVID-19 forced lockdown?
Sreesanth: In Kerala, the situation is better now. The state has recovered from the whammy and the practice has started. But it is raining heavily here. Kerala receives a lot of rains in June, July and August. So we are practising indoor cricket for the Ranji Trophy season. We also do video conferences in order to make a plan for the future. Apart from training, house cleaning is going on. I am taking care of the children, and a new pet dog has come to our house. My children named him Star. Sreesanth Sports Academy is also coming up near Bengaluru. It will be operational from September.
Do you want to play for India again?
Sreesanth: Everyone wants to play for the country. It is a different feeling. I want to return with long hair and better fitness. My goal is to start with first-class cricket, and it is going to start very soon, maybe in September or October. All I want is to help Kerala to win the Ranji Trophy and the Irani Trophy. If I get to play for India again in that way, then that would be great.
Sreesanth is a 2011 World Cup winning cricketer of India. Sreesanth will wear jersey number 369 instead of 36. But why?
Sreesanth: This time I will be wearing jersey number 369 instead of 36. 9 because my daughter Srisanvika was born on May 9. Srisanvika means Lakshmi. Everyone knows my wife's name, Bhuvneshwari Kumari is called at home 'Nayan'. So it sounds like 9. This is the reason I have decided to wear jersey number 369.
On IPL comeback
Sreesanth: I want to play because the last time I played IPL, I was accused of spot-fixing. It took almost two and a half years to get a clean chit. Then it took another four years to get permission. Now because of all these, I'll play, and want to tell people don't go away from your field of expertise. Come back to the field and make sure people hail your performance.
