The taming of Sree?

Of the entire Indian squad that practised at The Oval today just one, Sreesanth, had bad news waiting for him. Obliging a few autograph seekers in the boundary line, Sreesanth was jolted when a journalist informed him of his axing from the one-day side. Initially he thought it was a joke - "Dropped for one-dayers and picked for Twenty20?" - but his expression gradually turned morose.

It isn't a shocking omission by any means. Sreesanth hasn't been able to replicate his Test success in the one-day arena, picking up only 38 wickets in 29 games. But the implications of his losing a spot, the only change in India's one-day squad, are magnified several times when seen through the prism of a forgettable Test at Trent Bridge.

In the space of one afternoon, he bowled a ferocious beamer to Kevin Pietersen and liberal front-foot no-ball to Paul Collingwood, and shoulder-charged Michael Vaughan; for the last infringement he was docked 50% of his match fee.

Today, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, his captain for the Twenty20 World Championship, offered contradictory views on Sreesanth's beamer. He defended him, appreciating the apology, but sent out clear signals that he can't afford a repeat.

"He is a tough guy, he plays good aggressive cricket. Even I don't know if it [the beamer] was deliberate or slipped out of his hands. For me that was a yorker [smiles]. He's the only guy who knows. I'm glad he went and said sorry to Pietersen. But things like that should be avoided. If it was not intentional it was pretty accurate [smiles again]. So it's better to avoid all this."

It's a statement that seems to reveal the team's mindset on Sreesanth: be aggressive but don't go overboard. "I think he has a great example in Zaheer," said Rahul Dravid at the end of the second Test. "Zaheer has been as aggressive as anyone, without going over the top - just performing and getting wickets."

It is reliably learnt that Sreesanth was given a serious talking to at Leicester, during India's tour match against Sri Lanka A which he missed, and told to rein in his emotions. A member of the team felt he'd got the criticism he merited and hoped he would learn from the experience.

"We always do that [staying within the boundaries of fair play]," said Dhoni when asked if Rahul Dravid had chatted with the team regarding their on-field behaviour. "It is more about the individual rather than the captain. The captain can only tell you, the individual has to draw the line."

But there's a general belief, especially among the senior players, that Sreesanth is vital for his pace, the pressure he creates and the enthusiasm he brings to the bowling crease. There's also a feeling that he represents the aggressive face of the team and is someone who needs guidance rather than discouragement.

That seems to be the thinking in the Indian team management as well regarding Sreesanth's participation in The Oval Test. Michael Atherton, the former England captain, had called for Sreesanth to be banned from the Test, starting on Thursday, but Dilip Vengsarkar , India's chairman of selectors, sounded optimistic when asked about Sreesanth's chances for the final Test.

The pitch, expected to assist bounce, will play a hand in India's selection. "There never is much lateral movement here and I wouldn't expect the swing seen earlier in the series," said Bill Gordon, the head groundsman. "There will be some turn and consistent bounce for the slow bowlers. It should be a sporting pitch with something for everyone."

Sreesanth is good at hitting the deck and, despite his erratic nature, can deliver the matchwinning spell. Neither Ranadeb Bose, the medium-pacer who picked up five-wickets in the tour game, nor Ramesh Powar, the offspinner who also had a good match at Leicester, have proven international records. Indications are that he's likely to make the team list on Thursday. Which Sreesanth lands up will be anyone's guess.