Sreesanth eyes IPL return to complete metaphorical circle

With a return to Kerala's Ranji Trophy probables on the card in the upcoming 2020-21 season, former India speedster, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, has begun preparations in earnest, turning to noted NBA physical and mind trainer coach, Tim Grover, who has worked with the likes of legendary superstars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

As such, Sreesanth's day begins with Grover's online mental conditioning classes before turning up for an extended session at the indoor nets in Ernakulam. "Grover was one of the biggest names in the NBA. I attend Grover's online sessions from 5.30 am to 8.30 am thrice a week. In the afternoon, I train from 1.30pm to 6 pm at the indoor nets in Ernakulam with a lot of Kerala U-23 players and Ranji Trophy players like Sachin Baby.

"I am bowling three hours for six days a week. First two hours with the red ball and final hour with the white ball. So, I guess around 12 overs I am bowling every day to build stamina," the 37-year-old told PTI.

Sreesanth, who was initially banned for life by BCCI after being charged for an alleged involvement in spot-fixing during IPL 2013, had his punishment chopped down to seven years on advice of the Supreme Court of India. The current ban will end on September 2020, making him available for the forthcoming Indian domestic season. The Kerala pacer, who has always professed his innocence during the sordid saga, now believes that the IPL is the place to prove his naysayers wrong and complete the metaphorical circle.

"I will put my name for sure (at the auctions) if I am performing well, which I think I will," he said, when asked about his chances of an IPL return. "There are teams which will be interested and I have always told myself that I will again play IPL. That's where I was thrown out and I will make sure I am back on that platform, win matches

"The only place through which I can give an answer (to the corruption charges) is through IPL even if I play for India. I want to face the fear and that's the only way to live life.

"Most of my fear was about what people would say when I play my next cricket match. I am sure all those people will realize what I went through and who are behind it. Everything will come out sooner or later. I will make sure that I have that much performance to get picked," he further added.

"Action jaisa bhi ho, outswinger ka release humesha same hi rahega, [The outswinger will always be the same, no matter the action]" he added in jest, when reminded about his deadly awayswingers which made him a bowler to fear.

Despite having spent seven years away from the game, Sreesanth believes that he will be welcomed back warmly into the fold. "You know, nobody asked me this question and come to think of it, it's making me emotional," he said.

"Yes, I will still like to trust people may be not blindly. I now know, where I should be seen and with whom. I have forgiven people but not forgotten anything.

"But come to think of it, trust is a very under-rated word. Take 'T' out of Trust and all you have is rust. You need to trust people. I was told in my dark days, I will see nobody around me. But those who gave that theory were wrong. Irfan Pathan called me, Harbhajan Singh checked my well-being and actors from Malayalam film industry, politicians cutting across party lines, everyone wished well," he added.

At the age of 37, many would have been looking forward to a career post-retirement, but Sreesanth believes he still has at least five years of cricket behind him. Age, he says, will make no difference to what game he plays - whether red-ball cricket or the white-ball game.

"Any game brother. I am ready even if I die while playing one game. You are asking me about formats? It's like telling a thirsty man on Sahara desert, 'Bro, we don't have juice and you have to make do with water'. Of course I will play everything," he signed off.