The second Test in Kingsmead exhibited both the best and the worst of Indian fast bowler Shantha Sreesanth - a heated verbal exchange with South African skipper Graeme Smith, which had the home side crying foul, contrasted with some super second-innings bowling, illustrated by the cracker that sent Jacques Kallis packing.

But Sreesanth's career has always been a complicated matter, much like the numerous variations of his full name - Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Shantha Sreesanth, Sree Sreesanth and now just plain Sreesanth. The paceman is a complex character. Against England in 2007, after sending down a beamer to Kevin Pietersen and deliberately elbowing Michael Vaughan, there were suggestions that the 27-year-old was unable to control his on-field emotions.

But it's not only on the field that Sreesanth has come under the microscope, with the BCCI having handed out warnings to the break dancing-fan for repeatedly breaking their codes of conduct.

During his first tour to South Africa in 2006, Sreesanth was fined by the ICC for "conduct contrary to the spirit of the game" after giving Hashim Amla an unsavoury send-off. Showing he is always up for a battle, Sreesanth and Andre Nel (another fairly fiery character) exchanged words while the Indian was batting, Sreesanth preceded to hit Nel fox six, after which he danced about the track waving his bat about.

He was at it again in Durban, with a sledge against Smith, said to have crossed the line with its personal nature. As with in 2006, the Durban incident largely overshadowed a great bowling performance from the right-armer.

Sreesanth's performance of five for 40 at the Wanderers in 2006 remains his career-best figures. In Durban, his second-innings spell may not have heralded the same number of scalps, but the dismissals of Smith and Kallis (with a superb rising delivery that was the delivery of the Test) were key components in India's victory charge.

The 27-year-old's talent is undoubted and he has a number of good performances to back this up. In Zaheer Khan he has the best possible mentor to mature from an oft-expensive and erratic bowler into a genuine world-class performer.

However, the Smith incident once again raised questions about his ability to retain his composure. After the second Test, Indian captain Mahendra Dhoni remarked: "There's nothing called over-aggression until you don't cross the limit.

"There are some guidelines that needed to be followed and there are no other lines saying over-aggression or under-aggression. You need to be yourself but still not get into someone else's space. You should not go beyond what the guidelines say.

"You always need to have him under control. It's good for everyone, not only for him, for us, for our side, for the opposition, for the umpires and the spectators."

The final Test in Cape Town could prove a pivotal moment for Sreesanth, with India looking to win the series, Zaheer is going to need support up front. The question is: can Sreesanth not only provide that support but provide it in the right manner? With coach Gary Kirsten, Dhoni and Zaheer leading by example, he couldn't be better placed to do so.