By IANS
New Delhi : Shantakumaran Sreesanth says if India has shed the tag of poor travellers by frequently winning overseas, it is because the players have started performing better in pressure-cooker situations.
“More the pressure, the better we play these days,” says Sreesanth who himself has shed his overaggressive behaviour on the field to get a pat from former Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist.
The fast bowler from Kerala feels that the players are proving to be the best when cornered and are relishing being under pressure to perform.
India’s excellent run in Tests overseas began with the series win in West Indies after 35 years in 2006. Though South Africa just about managed to beat India 2-1 in their backyard, the hosts were rattled by India taking the lead in the three-Test series by winning in Johannesburg.
“We lost the one-day series in West Indies 4-1. That was my first loss as a cricketer and I realised many things from it. We then fought back to win the Test series in West Indies and that taught us many things,” said Sreesanth.
“After the showing in South Africa, we went on to win the Test series against England,” said Sreesanth who was here for a promotional event.
Then in Australia, Anil Kumble’s team overpowered the world champions in, of all places, Perth where it is not easy to stand up to the fiery pace of the Australians. The series was so close and tight that had it not been for the unfortunate happenings in the Sydney Test, India would have won the first-ever series down under.
The Kerala pacer missed the Test series in Australia due to a shoulder injury. His last Test appearance was against England at the Oval in August and it will be after seven months that he might play a Test in Chennai against South Africa next week.
“I am playing a Test after a long time. In the last one I played, Anil (Kumble) Bhai scored a century. I am trying hard to get my focus and rhythm back,” he said.
Sreesanth came back from the injury in the tri-series in Australia. He may not have got as many wickets as he would have liked, but is satisfied with his performance.
“I did not play many matches before I went to Australia. I had to get accustomed to the conditions and get my rhythm back. I got some crucial wickets but I could have done better.”
Sreesanth said he performed well in his last Test series against England and there was no reason why he could not do well against South Africa in the upcoming series.
“I have become a more matured cricketer now. There is no target batsman against South Africa. It will be tough for the fast bowlers and hopefully I will improve in the series.”