In the high-stakes drama of the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka, India’s heartbeat raced as they chased a second title. But just hours before the showdown, disaster struck. Star pacer Ashish Nehra, who had been a wrecking ball throughout the tournament, was sidelined by injury. With bowling options dwindling, the team turned to an unlikely hero: Sreesanth, a fiery Kerala speedster who hadn’t touched a cricket ball in 42 days.
Born on February 6, 1983, in Kerala, Sreesanth’s journey to the spotlight was anything but smooth. A childhood leg-spin enthusiast, he switched to medium-pace on his brother’s advice. His breakthrough came with selection at the Pace Foundation in 2000 and Ranji debut in 2002, making him Kerala’s first T20 international player for India.
Sreesanth boasts a rare feat: part of two World Cup-winning squads. In 2007, he’s remembered for that stunning caught-and-bowled in the final. But 2011 was his miracle moment. Sidelined after India’s thrashing by Bangladesh, he was a forgotten man until Nehra’s injury thrust him into the final lineup.
In a recent interview, Sreesanth revealed the chaos. ‘I hadn’t played for 42 days, and suddenly it was the World Cup final,’ he said. Sachin Tendulkar personally called him for a bowling session, whispering to MS Dhoni about his potential. But nerves hit hard. After a few overs, panic set in—short of breath, he retreated to the pavilion.
Virender Sehwag later recounted how they coaxed him back: ‘Bowl or quit cricket forever.’ Even Tendulkar intervened during drinks, urging him to return as Dhoni wanted him. Sreesanth obliged, delivering crucial overs in India’s six-wicket triumph.
Yet, glory was fleeting. Spot-fixing scandals in 2013 derailed his career with a lifetime ban, later reduced. Cleared after legal battles, he staged a comeback in 2021 for Kerala’s domestic trophies before retiring from first-class cricket on March 9, 2022. Sreesanth’s tale is one of fate’s twists—from benchwarmer to champion.