Sreesanth makes a roaring comeback!

Everyone doubted the BCCI's move, no one wanted him in the side. Fans rebuked the selectors' decision. Critics ridiculed his inclusion in the international side owing to his lackluster performances on the field.

But Kerala Paceman Sreesanth justified his comeback to the Test side as he picked up five wickets in the first innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka, apart from the vital wicket of Dilshan in the second innings. Sreesanth had last played a Test 18 months ago, on the same Kanpur ground. Needless to say, he has resurrected his career in a big way.

Rumours were abuzz that the Indian team management did not want Sreesanth playing ever again in international cricket, owing to the numerous hearings in the match refree's room as a result of Sree's histrionics on the field. He has been hauled by the BCCI for indiscipline a number of times as well, and the bowler himself had felt that he would never play for the team again. Talking to the media after the third day's play, he said: "I thought I would never again play for the country. But God has been kind to me and provided me with this opportunity. It's a cycle - to come back and play Test at Kanpur where I played my last Test."

Back in the inaugural IPL Sreesanth got himself embroiled in the slapgate scandal with Harbhajan Singh. The BCCI has warned He was also warned him many times to mend his ways. Sree recently had a tiff with the Kerala Cricket Association which threatened to strip him of state captaincy. Sreesanth claimed he had been misunderstood. "I think I have been misunderstood a lot of times, not just once or twice. I said in Ahmedabad also that I must be one of the most misunderstood cricketers in the world. But I don't think I would change. I will do things which are right and not things which people say are right."

So will his performance in the match silence critics? "I was not proving a point. I was enjoying more and was playing to my expectations. I have become realistic now and set goals which I can achieve. Yes, I was desperate to get the new ball in hand. It's always a proud moment to play for the country and it was great to open the bowling with Zaheer bhai," he said.

"I think it was a good decision and I thank BCCI for giving me the permission to play county cricket. It was not easy bowling there in June-July. Donald Sir helped me a lot. I know he said certain things about me but he helped me get my focus on off-field things, work on my work ethics, my attitude, training schedule and my professional approach. I have made a lot of sacrifice over the last seven months," Sreesanth added.