Kerala Coach Welcomes Back Sreesanth For The Domestic Season
Published - 14 Sep 2020, 09:20 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:34 AM
Sreesanth breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday (13th September 2020) as his seven-year ban from all forms of cricket came to an end. The BCCI slapped Sreesanth with a life ban along with Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila following their alleged involvement in match-fixing during 2013 IPL. With the BCCI ombudsman reducing it to seven years and now attaining freedom, the Kerala domestic team has welcomed him.
Sreesanth last played an international game in 2011, which was a Test against England at the Oval. The veteran was part of India’s squad when they won the T20 World Cup in 2007 and 50-over World Cup in 2011. He has not only expressed his desire to don the national colours again but also wants to play for India in the 2023 World Cup, slated to take place at home. It remains to be seen whether the paceman could make his way back.
Kerala coach Tinu Yohannan revealed that the door is open for Sreesanth to come back, providing he has the fitness and form. Tinu Yohannan added that the 37-year old has shown the keenness to play by putting in the hard yards by maintaining his fitness throughout the period; hence, he deserves a chance.
“Sreesanth has shown the keenness to play by training hard and keeping himself fit. We’ve been in touch [with him]. We will consider him, but it will depend on his form and fitness. But the door is open,” Yohannan stated as quoted by News18.com.
“If there is no cricket here, I might as well request the BCCI to allow me to play abroad” : Sreesanth
Sreesanth conceded that he has been working extremely hard since last May; hence, the domestic season being up in the air due to COVID-19 was disappointing news. The speedster went on to consider quitting the game; however, he did not want to put all his efforts down the drain. If no cricket takes place in India, Sreesanth might request the BCCI to let him play abroad.
“From last May, I have put my heart and soul into training. So when I read about domestic season being a non-starter, I was shattered. I even thought of quitting the game but thought I wouldn’t be doing justice to myself as all the efforts I’ve made to play the game would have gone down the drain. If the domestic season in India is cancelled, I will have to look at other options. If there is no cricket here, I might as well request the BCCI to allow me to play abroad,” the speedster mentioned.
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