'Relieved And Happy' S Sreesanth Eyes 100 Test Wickets

Former India fast-bowler S Sreesanth has said he is relieved and happy after the BCCI cut short the ban imposed on him for the IPL spot-fixing scandal in 2013.  BCCI ombudsman DK Jain has ordered for S Sreesanth’s spot-fixing ban to be reduced to a seven-year suspension, meaning the fast bowler will be eligible to play from September 2020.

Jain’s order comes months after the Supreme Court had set aside Sreesanth’s life ban in March this year, asking the BCCI to consider a fresh punishment for the former India pacer, who already has served six years away from the game.

“I am so relieved and happy. All these years I have been trying to prove my innocence and the efforts have finally bore fruit. It’s God’s grace that I have finally managed to come out of this and hopefully, I can be active in cricket again,” Sreesanth told MyKhel.

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S Sreesanth along with Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan received life ban by the BCCI’s disciplinary committee in September 2013. Later, he was cleared of all charges by a Delhi trial court in 2015 due to insufficient evidence under the MCOCA act; a special law passed by the Maharashtra state government to tackle organised crime syndicates and terrorism. But the BCCI had remained firm on their stand since it was independent to any criminal proceeding and was based on its independent disciplinary action.

But on March 15, 2019, the Supreme Court set aside the BCCI disciplinary committee’s order. Now, in an order passed on August 7, Jain said “ends of justice” would be met by making it a seven-year suspension and letting him play next year.

S Sreesanth further said that he is still harbouring the hopes of donning the jersey again and taking 100 Test wickets.

“Of course, we have seen many cricketers playing at this age. I am fit and will restart my training soon. God permits, I want to make a comeback to Indian team and complete my 100 wickets in Test cricket. After years of struggle, it is still sinking in,” said Sreesanth.

Before the ban, he represented India in 27 Tests, 53 ODIs and 10 T20 Internationals, claiming 169 wickets across formats.