Out of the Indian test team for a while, medium pacer Santhakumaran Sreesanth on Wednesday said he was fully fit and training hard at the National Cricket Academy (NCA)to make a comeback. "I am working very hard and I want to play for the country. I am really hoping to make a comeback into team India," Sreesanth told PTI in Kochi.
The tempermental Sreesanth, who plays for the King's Eleven Punjab in the Indian Premier League, said young cricketers get much needed exposure by playing in IPL. "IPL has given more opportunities for youngsters." On not being appointed as captain of the Kerala Ranji Trophy team, he said he was "disappointed".
He said he had been working hard for improving Kerala cricket and helping the youngsters. "In the last season, I had led the state in one match," he said. "Though I have not taken a final decision,I might opt for playing for another state in the coming season," Sreesanth, apparently hurt at not being appointed as captain, said.
Sreesanth said immediately after Raiphy Vincent Gomes was chosen as the Kerala captain, he had sent a congratulatory message. "Even if I play for some other state, it is because I want to play more cricket so that I could do well and get into team India", he said.
Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) had chosen 25 probables for the Ranji cricket team to be led by all-rounder Raiphy Vincent Gomes, recently. Sreesanth is in the probables list. KCA Secretary T C Mathew told PTI that the probables were selected by a five-member selection committee, who were all former Ranji Trophy players.
Terming Sreesanth's reaction as 'emotional', Mathew said "captaincy is not demanded by any players." "If Sreesanth has decided to play for another state, then he will have to obtain NOC (no objection certificate) from Kerala Cricket Association. Once application is given for NOC, The KCA's Central council will discuss and take a decision on that," he said. PTI
