Smith Won't Talk About Sreesanth; Dhoni Believes Sreesanth in Control is Better for All

While some battles have been given a break, others remain suspended. While the Indian captain can take a light view of Sreesanth after the Durban Test, the South African captain is wisely remaining withdrawn on the issue.

sreesanth quiet by asad rauf

One of the talking points of the second Test of the India South Africa series in Durban has been the Graeme Smith-Sreesanth squabble in the middle and the war of words was certainly on by the manner in which the South African captain reacted not only by waving his bat at Sreesanth in warning tones but also, the fact that he was dismissed, which he claims was not on account of the distraction caused by Sreesanth, dubbing it a "technical thing".

( Story Update: Sreesanth Claims Smith Woke Him Up; Smith & Dhoni Agree No Place for Personal Remarks )

While South African spinner, Paul Harris, told the media that Sreesanth was perhaps taking sledging a little too far by getting personal, Smith was remarkably tight lipped about it. Refusing to take the manic episode further out in the media for a prolonged scuffle, Smith only retorted when asked about Sreesanth's comments:

I'm not giving you that. That's between me and Sreesanth

Of his own composure, he responded with,

I've played enough Test cricket to know what I can handle and what I can't.

While that would have put paid to any further discussion on the issue, there was no way the Indian captain would not be asked on Sreesanth's beahviour that can sometimes get the better of him, though not on the occasion of the second Test which is why Mahendra Singh Dhoni could afford to make a laugh and joke about it:

There is nothing called over aggression till you don't cross the limit. There are guidelines which need to be followed. You need to be yourself but at the same time shouldn't get into others' space.

I think it's important to keep him under control. It's good for him, for us, for the opponents, for the umpires, for the board and for the spectators.

There is no doubt Sreesanth is at fault often times. But what players like Sreesanth must also realize that they set themselves up for trouble because the opposition sense that this is a wild one and are quick to highlight that player's negative qualities or provoking him into further losing the plot.

Perhaps sensing the kind of attention it could draw, Smith refused to reignite the row and perhaps wisely so, Sreesanth has remained silent on Harris' comments in the media even though Harris himself claimed he was not even within earshot of the spat.

All wise that ends in silence?