In what is a huge relief for former Indian cricketer S Sreesanth, the Kerala Cricket Association has revoked the three-year suspension imposed on him. Last year, the board had decided to punish the pacer for allegedly making ‘defamatory remarks’ against it, as he had backed Sanju Samson after the latter was dropped from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. With the three-year suspension lifted, Sreesanth is now cleared to be a part of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL), the T20 league held by the KCA.
KCA lifts three-year ban on Sreesanth
As per The Times of India, the Kerala Cricket Association decided to revoke the suspension after Sreesanth tendered an unconditional apology. The decision was taken in the board meeting on July 1. After being suspended by the KCA for bringing disrepute to the board, the former Indian pacer had challenged the action at the Thiruvananthapuram Munsiff Court. However, his petition was reportedly dismissed. The KCA discussed Sreesanth’s apology in detail and warned the cricketer that such a conduct could invite strict disciplinary action in the future if repeated.
KCA’s decision means Sreesanth can continue as the co-owner of the KCL franchise Aries Kollam Sailors.
Sreesanth vs KCA
“They (KCA) take players from other states to play for us. For what? Disrespectful to our Malayali cricketers. We have just one player at international level, Sanju. Let’s all support him,” Sreesanth had told Onmanorama.
In response, the KCA claimed that Sreesanth was unaware of Kerala cricket. In a statement, the board said that Sreesanth had not been acquitted in the IPL spot fixing allegation, adding that such a player need not offer protection to any of the state’s players. Further, the KCA stated that it had showed good-will by including Sreesanth in their Ranji Trophy side following the completion of his ban period.
“This shows he is unaware of Kerala cricket. The court dismissed criminal proceedings in the case but it remains a fact that he has not been acquitted in the spot-fixing allegation. Such a Sreesanth need not offer protection to Kerala Cricket Association’s players,” a statement from the KCA read.
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