Former Indian Pacer S Sreesanth's ban for spot-fixing during the IPL 2013 ends this coming September. The 37 year-old who represents kerala as already been included in the Kerala Ranji team probables and he also expressed his interest to make a comeback to IPL as well.
In the latest Instagram live session with CricTracker he stated- "Obviously I will put my name up in the IPL 2021 Auction".
He was then later asked, which team he would prefer to play for and his immediate response was Mumbai Indians and further explained that his preference of Mumbai Indians was because or the presence of Sachin Tendulkar in the support staff. Sreesanth in previous interviews has also expressed his respect for Tendulkar and how much he loves playing along with the Great.
He added“I will surely play for whatever team I get picked for. But, as a cricket fan, it’s Men In Blue Mumbai Indians, mainly because of Sachin Paaji, I started playing cricket to meet Sachin Tendulkar. If I get an opportunity to play for Mumbai Indians, why not, it would be a great thing to learn from Sachin paji from the dressing room,”
He further added that he would love to be part of MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) or Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
“Also I would love to play under Dhoni bhai or RCB as well,” he said.
Sreesanth was last seen in action during the IPL 2013 representing Rajasthan Royals, when he was slammed with Spot-fixing charges and banned from all forms of cricket for a term of 7 years.
With his ban period coming to an end this September he is preparing himself to get back to top level action and also hopes of getting a chance in the IPL 2020 as some of the foreign players wouldn't make it due to the imposed lockdown restrictions.
“Even in this season some foreign players might not play resulting in which more Indians might be picked in the squads, then I might have a chance to play,” Sreesanth further added.
He was once seen as the most upcoming and promising pace bowlers in the Indian team. But, it all had a sudden fall when he was accused of the spot-fixing charges in 2013.
While the speedster has been given green light to start playing the sport again, there were times when he literally went through hell. Recalling his 'torturous' experience during the IPL spot-fixing probe Sreesanth revealed that he was questioned for 16-17 hours every day in a terrorist ward by the authorities. He also claimed that he was being made the scapegoat of the entire controversy while there were some bigger names involved.
“If you look at my life, it was just fraction of a second, it was the after-match party, I was taken to the terrorist ward, I felt I was being made ‘Bakra’. For 12 days, it was torture for me for 16-17 hours per day and somedays even more. I was always thinking about my house and family at that time. After a few days, my elder brother came to visit me and then I got to know that my family was doing fine. My family members really motivated me and were really behind me through out,” Sreesanth said.
In addressing to his fans, Sreesanth explained how important it is to think before taking decision as it can turn out to be life-altering.
“On a serious note, winning every battle is important, everyone is fighting their own battle. Even if Sachin Tendulkar scores a century in a game, he will have to bat from zero in next game. Think for 10 seconds before you take any decision, you should know that ‘this too shall pass’. Just achieve whatever you want to achieve, don’t wait for what the world says,” he added.
The 37 year old aggressive speedster has represented Kings X1 Punjab, Kochi Tuskers and Rajasthan Royals respectively on his IPL career. He has played 44 matches and claimed 34 wickets at a strike rate of 61.8. In the inaugural IPL he ended up with 18 wickets just 4 wickets behind the top wicket taker Sohail Tanvir that season.
Cover Credits: IPLT20
