Sreesanth

A perennial question mark of aggression over substance will always dangle over Sreesanth until he irons out evident inconsistencies. The Keralite's career figures resembles compatriot Ajit Agarkar's, both enigmatic in their abilities to be excellent and expensive in varying measures.

An example for the 'excellent' is a 5/40 that he produced on tour to South Africa in 2006 in an eye-catching display of fast-bowling. But unchecked economy rates of over 6 in ODIs and 3.4 in Tests underline what still is a work in progress. Instilled with a fiery streak, it often donates needless aggression which seems more enforced than natural. Run-ins with international and domestic cricket authorities have courted disposable controversies.

Amid those controversies, Sreesanth has led the bowling attack for the 'Men in Blue' in landmark away wins in West Indies (2006) and England (2007) in Tests, and helped lift the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007. He was fortunate to be selected for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup when injury ruled out Praveen Kumar. The Kerala speedster played only the first and the last match in the entire tournament, but saw Team India reaching the much awaited milestone of a World Cup win after 28 years.

As one of the few Indian bowlers blessed with genuine pace to trouble batsmen in both the sub-continental and on foreign soil, selectors and supporters alike await 'Sree' to scale his vast inherent promise and shrug off the prima donna label.