Sreesanth’s father sold his house and land to save his son in sixth month; Taught him to chase his dreams

Sreesanth was one of the players who established a strong Malayali presence in the Indian cricket. He is also one among the rare players who have been part of Indian teams that won two World Cups. Sreesanth was a member of the Indian teams that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and the ODI World Cup in 2011.

Sreesanth's career growth was the most supported and influenced by his father, Shanthakumaran Nair, and mother, Savithri Devi.

Even when people mocked Sreesanth, saying that there was little income in cricket, his father encouraged him to chase his dreams. In a recent interview with Ranjini Haridas, Sreesanth spoke openly about his father’s support. He also revealed that he had faced a serious health issue when he was just six months old and that his father had sold his house and property to pay for his surgery.

Sreesanth’s words
‘When I was six months old, I had to undergo a surgery. Whenever I used to get into arguments during my childhood, my grandmother used to tell me, you are alive only because of your parents’ prayers. My father had to sell his house and land to pay for my surgery. Nobody knows all these things.

The doctor had at that time asked my father, you have three children? Is it necessary to spend this much money? My father said the surgery had to be done. That is how my life began. My father prayed that if I regained my health, he would offer me as a servant to the Ettumanoor Shiva Temple. He kept his word. After I recovered, my father took me to the temple, handed me over to the temple priest, and returned home.

When my grandmother came home to see me after I had recovered from the illness, I wasn’t there. She then scolded my father and then he took the vehicle, went straight to the temple, got me back from the priest, and brought me home’, said Sreesanth.