Former India pacer S Sreesanth looks at set to make his much-anticipated return to competitive cricket after serving a seven year ban. The World Cup-winner will be eligible to play international and domestic cricket again after his ban ends in September this year.
In August last year, the BCCI cut short the life ban imposed on him for the IPL spot-fixing scandal in 2013. BCCI ombudsman DK Jain ordered for S Sreesanth’s spot-fixing ban to be reduced to a seven-year suspension.
Jain’s order came after the Supreme Court had set aside S Sreesanth’s life ban in March asking the BCCI to consider a fresh punishment for the former India pacer, who already has served six years away from the game. S Sreesanth along with Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan received life ban by the BCCI’s disciplinary committee in September 2013.
Later, he was cleared of all charges by a Delhi trial court in 2015 due to insufficient evidence under the MCOCA act; a special law passed by the Maharashtra state government to tackle organised crime syndicates and terrorism. But the BCCI had remained firm on their stand since it was independent to any criminal proceeding and was based on its independent disciplinary action.
Back in Ranji Team:
With S Sreesanth’s ban all set to end in a couple of months time, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has decided to include the pacer the state Ranji cricket team.
“I am really indebted to the KCA for giving me a chance. I will prove my fitness and storm back to the game. It is time for all controversies to take rest,” S Sreesanth said in Kochi.
Before his ban, the 37-year old took 87 wickets in 27 tests and 75 wickets in one-day internationals. He was also a member of the World Cup cricket winning team in 2011 as well as the 2007 T20 World Cup.
