Tattoos: Sreesanth8217;s new identity marks

No S before and no space in between. It8217;s decided that it8217;s just one word now...

No S before and no space in between. It8217;s decided that it8217;s just one word now 8212; he8217;s Sreesanth, 8220;and it will remain like that only,8221; he says with a teasing smile, knowing that frantic and frequent changes in his name have earned him a notorious identity. The Kerela paceman might have cleared everyone of constant doubts, but he himself is in a quandary.

Sreesanth is comfortable wearing the skins 8212; the tight blue outfit 8212; while he8217;s at nets and playing matches. It allows the body to recover quickly and prevents any major injury. But there8217;s one little problem 8212; it doesn8217;t allow him to display his new passions publicly. Yes, Sreesanth is into a whole new domain, having suddenly grown a fetish for tattoos.

The new ball operator for Team India has a tattoo rolling on each arm, just over his bulging biceps. 8220;I have gone a bit crazy again,8221; he says. 8220;I have a tattoo of Faith written in Chinese language on one arm8230; that has been for a while now, but just before I came on this Australia tour I got a Scorpion done on my other arm too. That is because I am Scorpio,8221; he says accepting a belated birthday wish for turning 26 yesterday. 8220;It was fun.8221;

He agrees that it8217;s difficult for him to show off his tattoos, but trust Sreesanth to have found an answer to that already. 8220;I have decided to get a third tattoo done, just behind my collarbone, so that it8217;s visible to all,8221; he grins. I will have a barcode tattoo which will have my date of birth,8221; he says.

Sreesanth seems to be totally prepared for this Australia tour. Not only has he matched the Australians with their passion for tattoos 8212; half of the Australian team members have tattoos, with Michael Clarke heading the count with three 8212; but he8217;s making a conscious attempt to mingle with the crowd and be his usual friendly-self despite all that was talked about a fiery welcome from the crowd.

It8217;s been 10 days since Sreesanth has arrived Down Under, but there8217;s been no incident that people were apprehensive about. The crowd has not been too hostile to him; maybe that8217;s because they have a greater subject in Harbhajan Singh, but the paceman insists that 8220;meditation and yoga has changed Sreesanth.8221;

Talk about anything, and he8217;s game for a little chit-chat, but Sreesanth doesn8217;t want to talk about his cricket or his bowling. And that8217;s Sreesanth8217;s way of saying that he will let the ball do all the talking here.