Kerala HC lifts lifetime ban by BCCI on pacer Sreesanth
The Kerala High Court on Monday lifted the life ban imposed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on discarded Indian pacer S. Sreesanth.
Sreesanth had approached the court last year after the BCCI failed to revoke the life ban though he was exonerated by a Delhi court of the charge of involvement in a spot-fixing scandal, which marred the Indian Premier League in 2013.
Sreesanth had to cool his heels in Tihar Central Jail in Delhi in May 2013 in the case. He was arrested by the Delhi Police in Mumbai on May 17 that year along with former Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. The BCCI's Disciplinary Committee headed by present Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had slapped a life-time ban on Sreesanth and Chavan on September 13, 2013. Sreesanth was present in the High Court when it gave the verdict, and asserted that he is now determined to kickstart his cric-ket career.
"I am thankful to all who stood with me in my period of distress. Now I will have to display my match fitness. I have a few club tournaments that are coming up. I will use these matches to regain my fitness. Once I prove my worth, then I will aim for selection to the Kerala team," the 34-yearold said. — IANS
The BCCI on Monday said it will adopt a wait-and-watch policy on pacer S Sreesanth, whose life ban was lifted by the Kerala High Court, even as the cricketer's state association welcomed the reprieve.
Asked about the BCCI's stand, acting president C K Khanna said on Monday that: "The judgement has come today. The BCCI's legal team will study the judgement and give its observations. Obviously, their feedback will be taken and placed at an appropriate forum (general body)."
The Kerala Cricket Association said it's happy with the development.
The KCA, though, remained apprehensive about the BCCI's stand.
"Look, two years back, we had appealed to the BCCI requesting to lift Sreesanth's ban after lower court in Delhi exonerated him of all spot-fixing charges. The BCCI then decided to stick to life ban. Now that Kerala High Court has given the verdict, the BCCI may think of appealing to Supreme Court. We don't know what will be their stand," George said.
When asked whether Sreesanth would be considered for Ranji Trophy selection this season if all goes well, George said: "That I can't tell you right now as it will be a collective decision by the association. Also we have our selectors who needs to take a call on his fitness.
"He is 34 years and has not played for last four years. Obviously, with his talent and experience, he is an asset for Kerala Ranji team.
"We now have pacers like Basil Thampi (current India A player), Sandip Warrier. If Sree is around, obviously they can gain from his experience."
In his order, Justice A Muhamed Mustaque also set aside all proceedings against Sreesanth initiated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The court had earlier sought the BCCI's stand on the plea by the cricketer, challenging the life ban imposed on him by the game's governing body following the 2013 Indian Premier League-6 spot-fixing scandal.
The BCCI had filed a counter-affidavit in the court in response to the plea by Sreesanth, who had challenged the life ban despite a court dropping all charges against the 34-year- old pacer.
The cricket board had said, "The decision of the sessions court to acquit the petitioner from the criminal charges has no impact whatsoever on the decision of the internal disciplinary committee of the BCCI to ban the petitioner from playing cricket tournaments organised by the BCCI and/or its affiliates."
"We were right behind Sreesanth from day one. We were in Delhi during those days (arrest and subsequent court hearings) when he endured a lot. Now that High Court has given a verdict, hopefully, normalcy will return in his life. We would love to see him back in Kerala shirt," KCA secretary Jayesh George told PTI