Dubai: Well known for his aggressive traits as a player, Indian pacer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth came across as a totally different person on Wednesday.
He was at the Awir Jail distributing 50 air tickets on behalf of Snowhite Garments to needy prisoners who were punished for petty crimes and did not have the money to go back to India.
Full of sympathy, he said: "I was deeply touched by all of them who have been away from their near and dear ones for years. Since I am an emotional person, I really feel happy to be part of such a noble cause."
Does that mean Sreesanth, the fiery player, has mellowed down?
"As a player I have always been aggressive. When I was a kid, I never used to get to bat or bowl. So whenever I got my hand on the ball, I used to bowl aggressively. Even when I played with my brother my aim was to bowl faster than him. Aggressiveness comes naturally to me."
Bowling with fire
However, he did admit that he did not display his usual self during the recent Australian series.
"This is the first time I've played with cool. I think it has a lot to do with the Ayurvedic treatment that I underwent after my recent injury. I had to do meditation on a regular basis that really calmed me," he said.
"Whenever I felt like saying something I controlled myself and did my talking when I walked back to my run up," he added.
This by no means goes to say that Sreesanth does not like to bowl aggressively.
"It does not matter whether the batsman is Andrew Symonds or anyone else. I love bowling with fire especially against someone who challenges me. I don't like to be in a comfort zone," said the paceman who is now four short of his 50th Test wicket.
Admitting that international cricket does take its toll, he noted, "Playing international cricket is not easy. You have to really sweat it out under the sun.
"Charging into bowl is not easy and it hardly matters who the batsman is at the receiving end. For me he is just another guy with a helmet." Does that mean he will continue being what he was earlier?
"I love being myself. I don't think I have changed and don't think there is a need to. It has been a great journey so far."
