Taming Sreesanth is Dravid’s task now

Recently Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene had talked about the complexities involved in handling or nurturing a fast bowler.

Recently Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene had talked about the complexities involved in handling or nurturing a fast bowler.

In his reference to Lankan pace sensation Lasith Malinga, he had: “Sometimes you got to leave him on his own, sometimes you’ve got to explain things to him. On the whole, as a captain, you have to understand your bowler. Only then will he be able to give his best.”

Jayawardene, undoubtedly, has handled Malinga well. And Rahul Dravid can learn from him. It hasn’t been long since India have started to perform reasonably well overseas. And it is no longer only the spinners who are winning the matches for India. The fact that Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth have been adjudged Man of the Match in India’s last three Test victories is an indication that pacers have come to the fore.

At Trent Bridge, Zaheer ran through the England line-up with a five-wicket haul, paving the way to victory. “We all know what Zaheer brings to the side. If he’s fit, he is one of the best out there and this is what he can deliver,” Dravid said about Zaheer.

The skipper’s thoughts at present, though, are focused on Sreesanth and his erratic ways. “I have spoken to him many times. He is young and will learn but he has to understand that there’s no use of having all of this energy if you can’t convert it into a healthy performance.”

The skipper, who handled the game excellently, was at loss to contain the high enthusiasm levels of his bowler, with Sreesanth failing to maintain a line and length.