S. Sreesanth, a former player of the Indian Cricket Team, on the 21st of August, thanked the Supreme Court (SC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for reducing his life ban to 7 years.
Sreesanth said, “God has been extremely kind, thank you very much for all the support. It was a struggling phase but I have ruled that phase. Thank you very much whoever supported me or did not support me. Thanks to the BCCI, thanks to the Supreme Court, and Ombudsman DK Jain, for giving me an opportunity from next year.”
Speaking about his future goals, Sreesanth said, “I need to get in the match fitness and my focus will be on the game. In the end last six years, I survived because of the entertainment industry. I have certain commitments, which I have to finish (sic.)”
The BCCI announced a lifetime ban on Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan for spot fixing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL,) after the notice of the Supreme Court.
Speaking about the reason behind cancelling the life ban, Mr. Jain said due to Sreesanth’s good behaviour, the BCCI decided to reduce the ban to 7 years.
On the 15th of March, the Supreme Court reviewed the petition filed by Sreesanth and asked the BCCI to reconsider its decision of a life ban and submit a report within three months.
Since Sreesanth’s banned started in 2013, he can play for the Indian Cricket Team from the 13th of September 2020.
D.K. Jain, the ombudsman of the BCCI, issued a statement which read, “I am of the view that banning Sreesanth from participating in any kind of commercial cricket or from associating with any activities of the BCCI or its affiliates, for a period of seven years with effect from 13.09.2013, i.e., the date from which, the period of ban imposed by the Disciplinary Committee had commenced, will meet the ends of justice (sic.)”
In his cricket career, Sreesanth played 53 One Day Internationals (ODIs,) 10 T20 International matches and 27 Test matches for India.
Sreesanth was also a member of the Indian Cricket Team when they won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.
Stay tuned for further updates.
