Watch: In 2006, the India pacer unleashed an unexpected celebration after hitting his opposite number Andre Nel for a six in response to some choice words from the South Africa quick.
India faced off against the Proteas in the first Test at Johannesburg 15 years and turned up for the series in style. After batting first and getting a score of 249, their bowlers Sreesanth and Zaheer Khan wreaked havoc and bowled out the hosts for 84.
India batted well in the second innings too, and ensured that their lead inched closer to 400. With each added run, the frustration increased on South Africa bowlers, who failed to replicate the Indian magic on a wicket that had eased out. After Makhaya Ntini finally got rid off VVS Laxman and Zaheer, Nel tried to have a go at the India number No.10, S Sreesanth.
After the first ball of the 64th over, Nel pointed towards his heart and seemed to say, “Show me… You don’t have it.”
On-air, Ravi Shastri commentated, “Show me the heart, that’s what Nel says. And if I was Sreesanth I’d just wink at him, and say get on with it big man. His job is to bowl, that’s what he should be telling Nel.”
The very next ball, Sreesanth went down the track and smashed Nel for six. But it was what followed which left the commentators in splits. After hitting the shot, Sreesanth ran down to the other end, animatedly waving his bat. Years later, Sreesanth remarked to Sportskeeda that it wasn’t actually a dance but an act of taming a wild horse with a bat.
Alan Wilkins said, “I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.”
Shastri added, “In all the years , I’ve watched and covered cricket, this (moment) has to be the funniest. This will really get the South Africans going. The exuberance of youth, I’m not saying he’s doing the right thing here…”, even as his co-commentators continued to giggle.
India would go on to win the game by 123-runs, securing their first ever Test win in South Africa.
