S Sreesanth is looking excited about his comeback and his latest comment for Australia batsman Steve Smith is reflecting it. The Kerala pacer claimed he would uproot Smith's middle stump in a face-off.
Sreesanth is returning after a 7-year ban which will end on 13th September. Earlier, he had a life ban on him which was revoked and shortened to 7 years by Supreme Court.
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“I am just waiting for my comeback to uproot Smith’s middle stump and say ‘Thank You Smith.", he said.
The 37-year-old also called India skipper Virat Kohli the better batsman in comparison with Smith.
"Any day it is Virat Kohli. I respect Virat for his work ethics. In fact, Steve Smith also worked hard, but Virat is at the next level. From 2013 to 2020, Virat Kohli carried Indian cricket on his shoulders. Being No.1 for so many days is pretty incredible. There’s no comparison,” Sreesanth told CricTracker.
Last year, Smith and David Warner made a comeback after being banned for a year for ball-tampering against South Africa. Their return was thundering and it has motivated Sreesanth.
“Cricket Australia (CA) gave Smith and Warner permission to play Global T20 Canada. They came back and performed well, that motivated me, I should be thankful to them. They persisted with the game and they didn’t give up.
“Without being guilty I’ve lost seven years of my life. Still, people call me a fixer, but I say them ‘I respect Supreme Court Judgement’. I had 12 surgeries as a fast bowler, I just want to get back and bowl. Smith and Warner showed me a way forward but I am looking forward to bowl to them for sure,” he added.
The pacer is looking forward to IPL 2021 and he is ready to put his name in the auction. Sreesanth wishes to play for Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore or Chennai Super Kings.
“Obviously I will put my name in IPL 2021 Auction. I will play for whatever team I get picked. But, as a cricket fan, it is Men In Blue Mumbai Indians, because of Sachin Paaji, I played cricket to meet Sachin Tendulkar. If I get an opportunity to play for Mumbai Indians, why not, it will be a great thing to learn from Sachin paji from the dressing room.
“Even in this season some foreign players might not play and more Indians might be picked in the squads, then I have a chance to play. Also, I would love to play under Dhoni bhai or RCB as well," Sreesanth said.
The speedster was even hopeful to feature in the 2023 World Cup for India. He is working hard on his fitness.
"I still believe I can play in the 2023 World Cup. I firmly believe that. One of the things he taught me was to be unapologetically me. I was always unrealistic with my goals but that’s with most athletes. If you don’t have unrealistic goals, you’re going to be mediocre," Sreesanth had told.
