Cricketer S Sreesanth is perhaps better known for his on-field antics than his sporting prowess. And apart from Vinod Kambli, he is probably the only Indian player who has shed tears on the cricket pitch. “I’m a very real person, not an actor. I love to show my emotions. In real life you can’t have retakes. May be I could become a good actor. Though I am spiritual, I’m not sentimental,” he points out.
Sreesanth’s spiritual side is evident when he does the Sign of the Cross after taking a wicket. “I’m religious. I am a Hindu Brahmin, but on Holy Tuesdays I go to St Anthony’s Church in Kerala and praise the Lord. I am a God-loving person,” he says.
Sreesanth’s name was excluded from the soon-to-be-held Cricket World Cup team and the pacer wasn’t too happy about it initially.
“I was disappointed about not being a part of the World Cup. But life goes on. Certain things are not in our control. I am happy now, and training hard to make my comeback and waiting for an opportunity.”
Though he is not playing for the country, Sreesanth still means business to brands. He’s just been roped in by Gitanjali’s Rivaaz label. So what would Sreesanth do if he weren’t a cricketer? “I’m a sports psychologist. Had I not been a cricketer, I wouldn’t have studied sports. I might have been an engineer or doctor, because I’m from a typical Brahmin family. My sister is a doctor, my brother is into hotel management, and my dad is a chemical engineer. I would have had a 9-to-5 job, like everybody else,” he reveals.
It’s well known that Sreesanth is a passionate dancer. Audiences have often seen him dance on TV shows and award functions. “I was National break dance champion when I was in the 8th grade. I don’t really get time to dance now. I gave up dance for cricket. I am a huge Michael Jackson fan and keep listening to his songs on my iPod,” he says. But Sreesanth denies having Bollywood aspirations, “I have been offered Bollywood roles. But I’ll never leave cricket, until and unless cricket leaves me.”
It’s well known that Sreesanth is a passionate dancer. Audiences have often seen him dance on TV shows and award functions. “I was National break dance champion when I was in the 8th grade. I don’t really get time to dance now. I gave up dance for cricket. I am a huge Michael Jackson fan and keep listening to his songs on my iPod,” he says. But Sreesanth denies having Bollywood aspirations, “I have been offered Bollywood roles. But I’ll never leave cricket, until and unless cricket leaves me.”
In 2009, at IIFA in Macao, it was widely reported that Sreesanth and actor Minissha Lamba were caught getting cosy in a casino. Sreesanth denies the story. “I did meet Minissha in Macao. She is a good friend and a good human being. But that news was just made up.”