Sreesanth 'woken up' by confrontation with Smith

India paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth said on Sunday he had been 'woken up' by his confrontation with South Africa captain Graeme Smith in the second test in Durban last week.

Sreesanth and Smith exchanged angry words in South Africa's second innings in Durban, with Smith even waving his bat at the bowler.

Sreesanth was unapologetic on Sunday after finishing the first day of the third test as India's most successful bowler with two for 70 in 21 overs, listing his exchange with Smith as one of the reasons for his success.

He told a news conference: "Smith woke me up, thanks to him. I was a bit asleep in the series. He said to me that I wasn't good enough and I thought I was good enough to get him out and that's what happened in Durban."

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had admitted that "it is good for everybody - players, umpires, spectators - if we control Sreesanth" - and Smith and Dhoni met before the third test to discuss the Durban incident.

Neither South Africa nor the umpires laid a Code of Conduct complaint, but Dhoni did, according to sources, say he would try to rein his fiery bowler in.

But 27-year-old Sreesanth indicated he had brushed off both the Durban incident and his captain's guidance.

"I don't look at the past. I live for now, not for yesterday or tomorrow. The only thing on my mind was sticking to the plan and getting Smith out," he said.

Sreesanth claimed the key wickets of Hashim Amla for 59 and AB de Villiers for 26 on Sunday in the home side's first day score of 232-4 to partially silence the hostile crowd in the North Stand.

"I love Cape Town and the crowds in South Africa. Very honestly, it's about giving your best and playing with passion. I love this game and want to give my best in everything you do, even press conferences," Sreesanth said.