Former India pacer Sreesanth says he was unaware of the Kerala Cricket Association’s three-year ban, calls it unjustified and claims no formal notice has been served.
Kochi (Kerala), May 3:
Former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth has reacted strongly to the Kerala Cricket Association’s (KCA) decision to impose a three-year ban on him, claiming he has not received any formal notice or explanation from the state cricket board. The KCA cited defamatory remarks made by Sreesanth regarding Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s Champions Trophy squad as the reason behind the disciplinary action.
Sreesanth expressed his disbelief over the decision. “I have not received any notice or order from the KCA; we have only heard it from the media. I don’t know yet on what grounds or reasons the action is being taken. I was only backing a state cricketer,” he said, adding that he will consider his legal options once the notice is formally received.
The decision to suspend Sreesanth was taken during a special general body meeting of the KCA held in Ernakulam on April 30. Sreesanth, who co-owns the Kerala Cricket League franchise Kollam Aries, had openly criticized the KCA in the media over Sanju Samson’s exclusion from the national squad, leading to the issuance of show-cause notices.
In addition to Sreesanth, notices were also sent to three franchises: Kollam Aries, Alleppey Team Lead Contender (Sai Krishnan), and Alleppey Ripples. However, their responses were deemed satisfactory and no further action was taken against them. The KCA did, however, urge all teams to be more cautious in appointing their team management.
The association also announced plans to initiate legal proceedings against Samson’s father, Samson Vishwanath, former cricketer Reji Lukose, and a television news anchor, citing defamatory statements made in public against the KCA.
Sreesanth’s cricket career has been a mix of glory and controversy. A World Cup winner in both 2007 (T20) and 2011 (ODI), he was banned for life by the BCCI in 2013 over the IPL spot-fixing scandal, a ban that was later reduced to seven years. He made a domestic comeback in 2021 and remained active in cricketing circles, although he went unsold in the IPL auctions of 2021 and 2022.
Over his international career, Sreesanth played 27 Tests, 53 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, claiming 169 wickets across formats. He also featured in the IPL for Punjab Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Rajasthan Royals, picking up 40 wickets in 44 games.