Rookie pace bowler S Sreesanth says he is not in a hurry to make it to the Test team despite his impressive display in one-day internationals on the recently concluded tour of Pakistan.
"I have not thought about it (making it to the Test team). I would like to take it match by match. I intend to concentrate on giving my best in every game that I am chosen for," Sreesanth said in an exclusive chat in Mumbai on Tuesday.
"It's a great opportunity that I have got to play for India. I know if I play well I will get my chances. I am not in a hurry," the Kerala youngster said.
Sreesanth was in the city in connection with a three-year deal he has signed up with sports and event management firm Percept D'Mark, who already have Yuvraj Singh and Sourav Ganguly in their stable.
Sreesanth, who was used as first change bowler by captain Rahul Dravid in the final one-day match at Karachi, after sharing the new ball in the first four matches with Irfan Pathan, said he did not mind whether he bowled with the new ball or with a slightly older ball.
"It all depends on the situation and what the team wants. I will be able to do my part well. I will try to do whichever role is given to me. It's a great opportunity that I have got. It doesn't matter whether I bowl with new or slightly old ball," the Kochi-based player said.
Sreesanth said he was confident of doing well on any kind of wicket he's asked to play on. "I'm a rhythm bowler. I don't look at the wicket. I am sure I can bowl on any wicket." The pacer, whose sister is married to south's leading playback singer Madhu Balakrishnan, idolises Sachin Tendulkar and Australian pace guru Dennis Lillee.
"Dennis sir and Sachin paji are my idols. They are great performers. I have watched Lillee sir's bowling on CDs and have been guided by him at the MRF pace foundation.
"I admire Sachin paji's work ethic. There's so much to learn from him. I used to put the MRF sticker on my bat (emulating his idol Tendulkar). It's a great feeling to share the dressing room and have dinner with him."
Sreesanth said a month-long training stint at Kochi prior to his departure for Pakistan had helped him immensely.
"I was allowed to train at the stadium which is three minutes away from where I live. It helped me a lot. I was also in touch with John Gloster (Indian team's physio)," he said.
About the dropped catches at Lahore, when three slip catches were put down, Sreesanth said he took them in his stride as he knew that it was a one-off bad day.
"Skipper Rahul Dravid came and told me I was bowling really well. I was a bit disappointed but knew he was among the finest slip catchers and it's all part of the game. He then took that amazing catch in the next match.
"Gautam Gambhir also came and told me he was sorry (he dropped Shoaib Malik early on and the batsman made a big score). But I told him it was ok," Sreesanth said. Asked what was taught to the Indian bowlers by the team's coaching staff during the four-day break for Muharram between the first and second one-dayers in Pakistan, Sreesanth said, "we were asked to do a lot of spot bowling".
The change in the bowling was dramatic as the Indian bowlers turned in a splendid display after the break to restrict Pakistan to below the 290 mark in every subsequent match.
Giving a background of his own rise up the ladder, Sreesanth said he learned what cricket was all about during his four-year stay in Bangalore where he played for Florence School.
"I started off in Kerala watching my elder brother Dipusanth. I used to play in the Ernakulam Cricket Club. Then I moved on to Bangalore and studied in the Florence School there. That's where I learned what cricket was all about. P V Sashikanth played a big role.
"Then I represented Kerala in under-19 cricket and was also helped by the MRF foundation where Dennis Lillee taught me a lot. I am also grateful to the Kerala cricket association," he said.
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