No batsman in recent times has put his bowling to the sword in the first spell. If at all he is expensive, it is in his later spells when he does not inspire the same awe with a softer ball.

Srinath's bowling against Sri Lanka here on Monday, when he bowled with chilling pace, was a stunning reminder of his abilities with the new ball. The milestone of 200 One-Day International wickets in his 147th match was only incidental. What stood out by a mile was his ability to shake up international batsmen even on this docile, low bounce pitch.

``I have never seen any Indian bowler bowl quicker or look more intimidating,'' said former India cricketer RaviShastri.

Srinath's performance was a far cry from those dismal days last February when a shoulder muscle injury forced him to return home from the Caribbean Islands. The rotator cuff muscle needed to be operated upon and there was a genuine fear that Srinath may be lost to the game at the highest level.

But after the operation in South Africa, a re-orientation course in Australia and hours and hours of physical therapy, weight-training and yoga, Srinath returned to the playing arena, a leaner, meaner and more determined fast bowler.

The return was painful no doubt. The cricketing fraternity watched as he put his shoulder to a public test in Ranji Trophy cricket. There was no privacy even to wince.

But under this glare Srinath showed exemplary character and temperament to slowly claw his way back to peak form. Those who knew him were aware of his immense mental toughness and they were not disappointed.

Meanwhile, in his absence the Indian bowling attack was being taken to the cleaners, literally. SriLanka took close to 1000 runs off the attack in one innings. But all these was to change with Srinath's return. He gave Sanath Jayasuriya a painful knock on the head as if to remind him that the holiday was over. The latter has never been the same after that.

Srinath, by now, was bowling much quicker and in full flight he was, without doubt, the quickest ever bowler to have played for India.

``The Australians stated that it was my throwing, rather than bowling that was placing a strain on my shoulder,'' explained Srinath of his shoulder problem. ``For a while I tried to change my throwing action. But I gave up as it was proving to be too difficult. I simply went back to the technique I used in my early pre-India playing days whipping the ball underarm,'' said Srinath.

Former India fast bowler Roger Binny was quick to defend Srinath's throwing action. ``Believe me, it is the best. You save so much of time because you whip the ball back as soon as you field. No need to take the ball over the shoulder,point your left arm at the target, take a couple of steps, etc. Srinath has to be taught to skid the throw off the turf. He would be much more effective then,'' said Binny.

It is not just the throwing, even Srinath's approach to the game has undergone a sea change after the injury. Earlier, when he was asked if county cricket would not reduce his playing span, Srinath used to say: ``So what? Instead of playing eight years I will play four years.''

But after the injury and subsequent recovery, he is much more guarded. He works out a lot, no doubt. But he also nurses the shoulder well. In fact he has put on a lot more beef in the shoulder and that is standing him in good stead in hurling those express deliveries at opening batsmen.

Only the third Indian bowler, after Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble, to bag 200 one-day wickets, Srinath can ill-afford to rest on his laurels. The forthcoming tour of New Zealand, where he along with Agarkar and Venkatesh Prasad would have a major say in the bowling, is crucial. Agood performance there would be a tremendous boost ahead of the 1999 World Cup.