Kerala HC lifts lifetime ban on Sreesanth

Kochi, Aug. 7: In a major relief for S. Sreesanth, the Kerala high court on Monday lifted the lifetime-ban imposed on the tainted pacer by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in connection with the spot-fixing case. Sreesanth was one of those charged for spot-fixing during the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League in 2013. In September 2013, the disciplinary committee of the BCCI gave him a life ban from the sport, effectively ending his career. However, a Delhi sessions court in 2015 had exonerated him in the spot-fixing case registered by the Delhi Police which invoked the Maharashtra Control of organized crimes Act The BCCI had earlier in April this year rejected Sreesanth’s plea for a review of his life ban, saying it will not compromise on its zero tolerance policy towards corruption. The country’s cricket board had also informed the Kerala high court that a criminal court exonerating Sreesanth of spotfixing charges was not enough to lift the lifetime ban on him. After Sreesanth approached the Kerala high court in March this year with a petition seeking the lifting of his ban, the court asked him to file a review plea before the BCCI. The BCCI, though, remained adamant and had earlier refused to grant Sreesanth a ‘no objection certificate’ for playing in Scotland which led him to launch a scathing attack on the board.

I want to play Test cricket again, I still have three to four years of cricket left in me. I am glad to be back where I belong. Hard times come and go. My aim is to get match fit now and I will prepare for Ranji cricket. I am bowling. I have a small indoor net in my house and that is where I practice. — S. SREESANTH