Former India skipper sat down with The Quint in a freewheeling chat about Sreesanth’s possible comeback, the diminishing possibility of an India-Pakistan series this year and also the possibility of him being appointed India’s next coach.
The charges against Sreesanth and the other cricketers were dropped in the spot-fixing scandal. What was your first reaction when you heard of the Patiala Court’s verdict?
I felt happy. With the players getting clean, it means the sport is clean. That is important but I still think this matter still has a few distances to go.
The BCCI secretary has said they will consider letting Sreesanth make a comeback for India possibly. He is 32 after all, do you see him making a comeback?
It’s too far-fetched. It depends on how he performs in domestic cricket. Depends on when the BCCI takes the disciplinary action off of him. There are a lot of ifs and buts. We will have to wait and watch.
Sreesanth said he wanted to clear his name before his daughter googled him. Is that something you understood well? That apart from being a cricketer, you all also have families that you want to protect first.
Absolutely, its the same for everyone. Im sure he feels the same. Just being a fellow cricketer, I understand. And also, not just him but also for the other two cricketers named in the case as well, I hope they come out clear, it will be good for the game.
Sreesanth said Sehwag was in touch with him VVS Laxman spoke to him, did you speak to him as well after the scandal broke out?
Yes, I did. During the initial part. But not more than that
After the Gurdaspur attack, the BCCI Secretary said Pakistan cannot continue to attack india and still expect to play cricket. There were plans of an India-Pakistan series at the end of the year, do you see that working out still?
You can make out from the words of the board’s secretary that if the attacks continue, India won’t play cricket with Pakistan anymore.
Finally, a lot of your fans would like to see you take up the position of the Indian coach. Appointing Ravi Shastri as a full time coach is taking longer than expected.
I really don’t know what’s going to happen with the coach. I feel Ravi is there as the team’s director. I don’t really see any difference between the director and the coach’s job. Besides, there are three more coaches - Sanjay, Bharat and the fielding coach. We have four people, I think thats enough. As and when the need for a coach arrives, the board will access the situation.
The former India skipper also shared his memories of the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam with The Quint. Watch that video below.
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