Sreesanth said India had peaked at right time, brightening its chances to win the World Cup beginning in the West Indies from next month.
KOCHI: Medium pacer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth on Sunday said India had peaked at right time, brightening its chances to win the World Cup beginning in the West Indies from next month.
"The team has peaked at the right time and everyone has shown fine touch," said the 24-year-old told reporters after returning from Visakhapatnam, where India won a one-day match to clinch 2-1 series win against Sri Lanka.
Asked which other country enjoyed a chance in the world cup, he said, "It could be Australia".
On his selection to the World Cup squad, he said "it is a great opportunity. It is an honour to play for the country. It's a dream come true for me. I will put in my best in the World Cup".
Sreesanth, who had a decent performance against the Sri Lankans in the four-match series, which was instrumental in clinching him a place in the squad, said he would go to the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai on February 20 to fine tune his bowling.
On his dip in form against the West Indies, Sreesanth said, he preferred to relax a bit after the South Africa tour, where he had returned with 18 wickets to top the bowling and equal the Indian record with Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath.
"The four-match West Indies series was a learning experience for me. I had conceded quite a few runs including some wide. Senior players including Sachin bhai, Rahul bhai, Anil bhai, coach Greg Chappel and the team management helped me to regain my confidence level," he said.
"It was not a fall in his form against the West Indies. It is part and parcel of the game and every player undergoes some dip in their performance. I had learnt quite a lot," Sreesanth said.
Asked how he takes on criticism, Sreesanth, the second Kerala player to don the Indian colours after medium pacer Tinu Yohannan, said, "I welcome it. It gives you encouragement to perform well. It will help you to be in good shape. I take it in right spirits".
On whether he had felt any pressure from Munaf Patel in his bid to find a place in the team India for the World Cup, Sreesanth said, "Not at all. We were helping each other to improve our bowling".
Sreesanth said during the West Indies tour recently, he was lucky to have breakfast with Brian Lara.
"One-day game is very simple. Being a fast bowler, Lara had asked me to stick to the basics. The valuable tips given by cricket legend Lara had helped me a lot," he said.
Sreesanth also fondly remembered the advice given by Sachin Tendulkar before the Rajkot one-dayer against the Sri Lanka.
"Do not doubt on your abilities. You can do it. You are getting the new ball," Tendulkar had told Sreesanth.
"Cricket is religion to me," Sreesanth said, adding "Sachin bhai is like God to me. He has always been helping me. All the senior players and the coach were helpful from day one".
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