The newly appointed Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Ranji trophy coach Tinu Yohanan has said that Kerala will welcome back tainted pacer S Sreesanth once his ban expires.
S Sreesanth’s 7-year ban from cricket imposed by BCCI is going to end in September 2020. However, coach had made it clear that former Team India pacer has to undergo through selection process and prove his fitness.
If considered, Sreesanth could have a chance of playing first-class cricket for the first time since 2013. In May 2013 Delhi police had arrested Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals team mates, Ajit Chandilia and Ankit Chavan, on charges of spot- fixing. The Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) had imposed a life ban on him. Later he fought a long battle. In 2015 a special court in Delhi had acquitted him of all charges.
In 2018 the Kerala High Court had also revoked the BCCI decision to impose a life ban on him. But in 2019 the Supreme Court upheld his guilt but asked the BCCI to reduce his quantum of punishment. Later the BCCI had reduced his life ban to seven years which will end in September 2020.
“I am really indebted to the KCA for giving me a chance. I will prove my fitness and storm back to the game. It is time for all controversies to take rest,” Sreesanth was quoted as saying in local media in Kochi.
Recently KCA had appointed former fast bowler Tinu Yohanan as the team coach. KCA secretary Sreejith Nair said his comeback will be an asset to the state team.
“KCA is ready to welcome back Sreesanth. He will have to clear the fitness test to get into the camp. He’s an experienced bowler for sure,” Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) president Sajan K Varghese was quoted as saying by onmanorama.com.