As India geared for World Cup glory in 2011’s finale against Sri Lanka, fate played a wildcard. Ashish Nehra’s injury decimated the bowling unit, spotlighting Sreesanth—the enigmatic Kerala quick, sidelined for 42 days amid tournament turmoil.
Born February 6, 1983, in Kerala, he pivoted from boyhood leg-spin to pace on brother’s counsel. Trained at Pace Foundation from 2000, Ranji debut in 2002 crowned him Kerala’s T20I trailblazer.
Bearer of two World Cup medals, 2007’s final heroics preceded 2011’s shock inclusion. Ousted post-Bangladesh loss, Nehra’s woe resurrected him.
Sreesanth’s account: Tendulkar’s nets endorsement tipped Dhoni. Final nerves cracked him—overs bowled, then pavilion retreat amid breath struggles. Sehwag’s ultimatum and Tendulkar’s Dhoni relay during drinks pulled him back for duty. India triumphed.
Infamy followed fame. 2013’s spot-fixing saga yielded a lifetime ban, revoked post-court win. 2021 saw domestic revival in Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare for Kerala; retirement from first-class on March 9, 2022.
Sreesanth embodies cricket’s unpredictability: from obscurity to ovation, his 2011 saga endures as luck’s grandest gesture.