S Sreesanth Opens Up On The Saga Surrounding His Spot-Fixing Scandal In IPL 2013

Former Indian pace bowler S Sreesanth has revealed details regarding his infamous spot-fixing scandal back in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Kerala-born player said that he was looking to play important series ahead against South Africa and didn’t have a reason to throw his career away.

The 38-year-old opened up on the details for the first time in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda. Sreesanth was going through a rough phase following his bouts with injuries in 2013 and the IPL was the right platform to audition for a place back in the Indian squad.

“This is the first interview in which I am sharing or explaining it. It was supposed to be one over and 14-plus runs. I bowled four balls for five runs. No no-ball, no wide, and not a single slower ball in an IPL game. I was bowling at 130-plus after 12 surgeries on my toe.”

“I had played the Irani Trophy and was looking to play the South African series so that we can win in September 2013. We were going early, and it moves better in September. My goal was to play that series. A person like that, why would I do it, that too for 10 lakhs? I am not talking big but I used to have bills of around 2 lakh when I partied around,” Sreesanth said.

“Why would I give away all that I had invested? No way” – S Sreesanth

The former pacer was part of the Rajasthan Royals franchise when the scandal came to light. Two other players, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were arrested along with Sreesanth after charges were placed. They were cleared of the charges following which the Supreme Court lifted the life ban on Sreesanth in 2019.

“I used to pay with my card not cash. If I had so much cash, I would have been spraying it out. In fact, I used to take care of even a normal person. In my life, I have only helped and given belief. I have helped a lot of people, and those prayers helped me get out of this. All I would ask is – two balls, five runs, two balls to go. How would I give away all that I had invested? No way,” he added.

S Sreesanth made a comeback to cricket after being selected for the Kerala domestic side in 2020. Unfortunately for him, he couldn’t land a contract for an IPL team in this year’s auction.

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