Want to play a crucial role in 2023 World Cup: S Sreesanth

S Sreesanth whose cricket life-ban was reduced to seven days last year, is gearing up to return to the game after September - when his ban period ends. With lockdown in place, he has been practising at his own indoor cricketing facility for the last two months.

Speaking to The Times of India, Sreesanth said that he bowls 14 overs a day with the new-ball, semi-old ball and the red ball for six days a week. He wanted to prepare himself for all three formats and be ready whenever cricket resumes in the country.

The 37-year-old starts his day with yoga and meditation. Twice a week, he attends online sessions of Tim Grover, NBA physical and mental conditioning coach. For fitness, he follows a schedule given to him by Ramji Srinivasan, former strength and conditioning coach of Team India.

Sreesanth said he was not aware of some of the rule changes that have happened when he was serving the ban. "I did not know now they use two new-balls from each end in ODIs till one of my fellow Kerala players told me in the nets."

He feels that his performance and work ethics should be the criteria for selection. "Don't look at my age or anything else. If I play well, please pick me in whichever team I can play for," Sreesanth requested stakeholders.

Sreesanth wants his comeback in cricket to be an inspiration to everyone. Speaking on the same, he said, "Don't ever give up, that's my comeback story" adding that he missed what he loved doing the most - cricket - in the last seven years. "Now, please let me do that for the next five years."

For now, I want to win Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy for Kerala. Then I want to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). My ultimate goal is to represent Indian team and play a crucial role in the 2023 World Cup, he concludes.