Rajasthan Royals batsman Owais Shah, who is yet to play his first game in IPL 6, has said that his team’s strike bowler S Sreesanth was fine and raring to go after he created a fresh stir by rekindling the 'slapgate' controversy.
Asked if the temperamental pacer was in his best mental shape for Sunday’s match against the Kings XI Punjab, Shah said he was surprised to know why people should think in this manner about his teammate.
"He is a professional player and has turned out in the nets, training hard and bowling well. He is main strike bowler even for Indian team earlier. He swings the ball and has good rhythm. If selected he would give 100 per cent," Shah said.
Talking about coach Paddy Upton and his expertise in the mental aspects of players, Shah said he would manage Sreesanth if he has problems.
"Yes, he is a good coach and has worked with Sreesanth during his stint with the Indian team and I am sure he would manage Sreesanth's problems, if there are any. Paddy has brought changes and his strategies are working but they could be tested when under pressure in second stage of tournament," Shah said.
Praising skipper Rahul Dravid for his batting, Shah said, "Rahul Dravid is a wonderful batsman and is proving himself in Twenty20 too. He and Rahane have done a fine job at the top but we need to build on big partnerships to reach good scores like around 170.
"With a score like that we can win nine out of 10 on this wicket but defending 140-odd is not possible every time.
"We fell short by 20 runs against Pune Warriors but we are confident against Punjab whom we had beaten in both matches in last edition of IPL. We have no injury scares and whole squad is available for selection," he said.
Asked about the absence of Pakistani players in IPL 6, Shah, who was born in Karachi, said, "It's a political decision. They were available in auction but not allowed to play. May be when things are sorted out they would get a chance."
