Five moments that defined Sreesanth

2. A participant in India’s iconic moments – 2011 World Cup and ICC World T20 in 2007

Sreesanth: Member of 2007 and 2011 World Cup squads

As a bowler, Sreesanth proved to be quite expensive in the inaugural World T20 championship held in South Africa in 2007. However, he did manage to give his side important breakthroughs at crucial junctures – his dismissals of Australian openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist proved to be the turning point that eventually resulted in an Indian win.

However, one of the lasting images of the summit clash was his ice-cool catch to dismiss the dangerous Misbah-ul-Haq just when things had finally begun to go Pakistan’s way. It triggered wild celebrations all over the place and lasted for a considerable period – coming at a time when India had suffered the ignominy of being eliminated of the 50-over ODI World Cup in the first round.

Sreesanth also played in the first game of the 2011 Cricket World Cup, going for plenty of runs against Bangladesh. He, however, returned for the final in Mumbai, again bleeding runs and failing to pick up wickets. India still ended up winning their second world title after 28 years and Sreesanth, yet again, was fortunate to be a part of the winning squad.