In a magnanimous gesture, Indian Fast bowler S. Sreesanth today decided to pay Sri Lankan batsmen compensation amounting to 90% of his match fees for unintentionally restricting them to an economy rate of just under eight.

Indian Coach Gary Kirsten declared that he stood by his emotional fast bowler’s performance. ‘It’s just not right to expect him to consistently deliver each and every time,’ he said. ‘Besides, I believed him when he swore on Bhajji today in the dressing room that his performance today was totally unintentional and as much of a surprise for him as for the opposition.’

‘It’s the sporting thing to do,’ said Sreesanth, wiping off his tears. ‘Even I was surprised when they failed to score more than 2-3 boundaries off each of my over. I can only imagine their shock and disappointment. My mojo went for a complete six today.’

The Sri Lankan team chose to downplay the entire incident, terming it as the decent thing to do. ‘Fine, he did partly make up by conceding those two boundaries off his last two balls,’ said a relieved Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawadene. ‘But imagine what would have happened had we lost! How would we’ve justified those three dot balls off him in the first few overs?!’

The cricketing fraternity expressed mixed feelings about the entire incident. The perpetual come-back kid of Indian cricket, Ajit Agarkar, termed the entire episode a cheap publicity trick. ‘What’s the big deal,’ noted Agarkar dismissively. ‘If some day, in like the next decade or so, I fail to give away my usual twelve runs per over, I too will do the same!’

Veteran cricketer Mohinder Amarnath refused to see the novelty in Sreesanth’s actions, terming it a normal practice for inconsistent bowlers. ‘I’m still paying the entire West Indies team in installments for all those unfortunate wickets I took back in 1983.’

And as is the case with everything that involves remuneration, compensation or credit these days, Chetan Bhagat couldn’t resist a comment. ‘Sreesanth has remained true to at least 82.5% of his implicit agreement with the other party,’ he thoughtfully noted in his newly acquired appreciation for legal contracts. ‘By the way, have you seen the similarities between today’s match and my latest bestseller? In fact, I’ve made a list. Firstly, all the characters are humanoids…they all have two eyes, one nose…’

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