Top 5 bowling spells by Sreesanth


Top 5 bowling spells by Sreesanth

S Sreesanth

Indian right-arm swing bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, who won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup for India, has called time on a career spanning 20 years. Having represented India in all three formats 90 times, Sreesanth finished with 169 international wickets. He took 87 Test wickets and 75 ODI wickets for India. He has also taken seven wickets in 10 T20 Internationals. Sreesanth took to Twitter on Tuesday to announce his retirement from all formats of cricket. Sreesanth announced his retirement from all formats of cricket.

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“It has been an honor to represent my family, my teammates, and the people of India. Nd everyone who loves the game. With much sadness but without regret, I say this with a heavy heart: I am retiring from the Indian domestic (first class and all formats) cricket,”. For the next generation of cricketers..I have chosen to end my first class cricket career. This decision is mine alone, and although I know this will not bring me happiness, it is the right and honorable action to take at this time in my life. I ve cherished every moment,” he added.

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S. Sreesanth’s five best bowling spells

6/55 against England at Indore in 2006

Sreesanth
Sreesanth

This was one of Sreesanth’s best bowling performances in an ODI game. During England’s tour to India in 2006, the Test series ended in a draw (1-1) but India absolutely dominated the ODI series. India were already 4-1 up when the action moved to Indore for the seventh and final ODI. India elected to field first after winning the toss and England struggled early on, scoring only 43 runs in the opening stand.

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Sreesanth, however, inflicted the damage by getting two wickets to put a brake on the batting. He dismissed Matt Prior and Strauss in successive overs to leave England at 47/2. Aces Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Geraint Jones added the fifties to keep England in contention. In fact, Collingwood and Jones had added 91 for the fifth wicket and were looking good for a big finish.

The Kerala pacer Sreesanth bowled some excellent death bowling to see England slip from 257/4 to 288 all out in the last five overs. The pacer shredded the lower order to finish with six wickets, his best ODI figures.

5/75 against Sri Lanka at Kanpur in 2009

On a slow track at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium, India won the toss and amassed 642. Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, and Rahul Dravid shaped their surge by smashing quick hundreds. India continued their dominance with Zaheer eliminating Tillakaratne Dilshan on the very first ball of the innings. Sreesanth destroyed Sri Lanka in a spectacular spell during the morning session. Sreesanth’s five-wicket haul included the key scalps of Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera. Sri Lanka were routed for 229 and made to follow-on. India eventually wrapped up a comfortable innings victory.

5/40 against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2006

With India electing to bat first on a tricky surface, they rode the middle order stalwarts to a decent total of 249. Intermittent rain led to the pitch being undercover and making life difficult for both sides. Sreesanth got into the groove by trapping Graeme Smith in front. Aside from swinging through the moist air, the brand new ball was also seaming wildly off the surface. The Kerala pacer capitalised on the conducive conditions and soon accounted for Amla as well as Kallis.

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4/47 against New Zealand at Jaipur in 2010

S Sreesanth Kerala

During the 2010 ODI series, India dominated New Zealand 5-0 under stand-in skipper Gautam Gambhir. Sreesanth’s spell during the second match in the series contributed to the charge. After winning the toss and opting to chase, Sreesanth helped India get off to a strong start by removing Jamie How. The right-arm pacer returned in the death overs and restricted New Zealand with a slew of wickets.

India defeated New Zealand by eight wickets as Sreesanth dismissed Scott Styris and Daniel Vettori, while Gambhir’s century helped India to a comprehensive victory.

4/58 against Pakistan at Karachi in 2006

Unlike the politically influenced current phase, the span between 2004 and 2007 saw India and Pakistan meet each other on the cricket field on a regular basis. During the 2006 tour, Rahul Dravid’s team triumphed in the ODI series by a convincing 4-1 margin. With the series already sewn in their favour, the fifth ODI at the National Stadium in Karachi provided an opportunity for India to impose themselves on the hosts. Bowling first on a benign track, the Men in Blue relied on Sreesanth’s spirited spell to quell the strong Pakistani lineup.

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Sreesanth sent back Imran Farhat, Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik in an inspired effort with the newer ball. The sudden top-order collapse left Pakistan reeling at 77/3. Although they recovered to post 286, India chased down the target without breaking a sweat.