I will do justice to opportunity given to me: Sree

Bangalore, Feb 8 (PTI) Back in the Indian World Cup squaddue to injury to his pace colleague Praveen Kumar, Keralaspeedster S Sreesanth today said he would look to do justiceto the opportunity given to him.

"It is a great opportunity and a great challenge to be apart of Indian team for the World Cup. I am lucky to be apart of it and am looking forward to giving my best in thetournament," Sreesanth told reporters.

"I am just looking forward to giving my best in the WorldCup. I am absolutely fine with any role given to me. WhateverI would be asked to do I will perform accordingly."

The 28-year-old right-arm pacer, who was not in theoriginal 15-man Indian squad, said it was unfortunate thatPraveen Kumar could not recover in time for the World Cup.

"I feel really bad for Praveen. It is unfortunate thatinjury keeps you out of the game. I hope he recovers fast."

Praveen sustained an elbow injury before the ODI seriesin South Africa last month and failed to recuperate in time.

Speaking about his economy rate, which has always been amatter of worry, Sreesanth said he has improved immensely inthe last two years.

"I was worried about that aspect of my game but in thelast couple of years, whatever chances I have got I showed alot of improvement. With age and experience you learn a lot. Iam still learning and hopefully will do a good job," he said.

Sreesanth also did not seem too bothered about the factthat the sub-continent pitches would have little to offer tothe fast bowlers during the mega-event.

"There are no issues as far as sub-continent pitches areconcerned. Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Munaf Patel have allplayed in World Cups before and have enough experience. We areready to give our best. We are doing well and are number twoin ODIs. Hopefully, by the end of the World Cup, we could bethe number team in the world," said Sreesanth.

Asked if cricket fans would see an old Sreesanth or areformed one during the World Cup, the Kerala youngster said,"I play cricket with passion. I just want to win games for thecountry. I really don''t plan whether I would dance aftertaking a wicket or not. I only plan my bowling and just try towin as many matches as possible for India."

A lot of people criticised the national selectors for notincluding Sreesanth initially when the Indian squad was pickedfor the World Cup and former India captain Sourav Ganguly wasone of most vocal ones.

When Sreesanth was asked about how he felt about thesupport he got from people like Ganguly, he said, "I am reallythankful to Dada. He was one guy who told me to concentrate onmy game and to remain focussed as he felt I could make it bigin international cricket. Even Sachin paaji told me the same.

So it is a big thing and I always appreciate their words."

Sreesanth, who composed a song to cheer the Indian teamin the World Cup, said, "I was looking forward to cheer theteam but now I am happy to be a part of it." PTI CM PDS