From setting inspirational songs as his mobile ringtone to wearing I-Never-Give-Up T-shirts, pacer S Sreesanth has come up with unique methods to keep himself motivated as he waits for a recall to the Indian cricket team.
The flamboyant pacer has declared himself fit after recovering from a back injury but with the Indian pace bowling attack doing well with Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma at the helm, the Kerala bowler may have to wait a while before getting a recall.
And in a bid to keep his motivation intact, Sreesanth has turned to some unconventional ways.
"The ringtones of my cell phones keep me going, especially the title song of Rocky 5 and the other by A R Rehman 'yeh jo des hai tera' from the movie Swades. Actually, this song keeps telling me 'come on Sreesanth, you have to work hard and make a comeback, keep working hard'," Sreesanth told ESPN-STAR Sports.
"My business manager got T-shirts for me from Mumbai with messages on them. The one that I have now reads 'I never give up. That is the mantra for me, I dont want to give up ever, just keep fighting," he added.
The bowler also got the backing of former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who feels bringing him back into the attack would lend variety to Indian bowling.
"Zaheer Khan is a left-armer, Ishant Sharma is a bowler who hits the deck and if Irfan Pathan is not in top form then I think the Indian think tank should contemplate having Sreesanth for the Sri Lankan tour," Ranatunga said, referring to the upcoming five-match one-day series between India and Sri Lanka.
"He has a wonderful out-swinger which can be handy with the new ball. On top of that, he bowls well with the old ball with his reverse swing and yorkers. I know he is making a comeback but if at all he has to make a comeback, it can be now," he added.
The Indian selection committee meets on Sunday to pick the squad for Sri Lanka where the team will also play a Twenty20 game.
Sreesanth has declared himself fit for selection and is raring to go.
"I am completely fit and hopefully I can make my comeback sooner than later, may be with the Sri Lankan trip itself," he said.
The 25-year-old bowler last played for India against South Africa in Kanpur but following a back injury he has been out of action.
"Thanks to the National Cricket Academy staff Dav Whatmore, Paul Chapman and Paul Close and others that I am able to make a comeback to the game. Now, let's see if I am able to take the next step," he said.
