Spot-fixing: Indian court lifts life ban on cricketer Sreesanth

Sreesanth

KERALA: The Indian court on Monday revoked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decision to impose a life ban on former Indian cricket team speedster S. Sreesanth

Last year a special court in Delhi had acquitted him in the 2013 Indian Premier League spot-fixing case.

After the verdict, S. Sreesanth had approached the BCCI to remove the ban but his plea was turned down. Later, he approached the Kerala High Court saying that though the court had given him a clean chit, the cricket body continued to harass him. He also pleaded that his sports career was getting ruined because of the ban.

“He was acquitted in the case. Then how can the BCCI impose a ban on him? It is denial of natural justice,” the High Court observed while revoking Sreesanth’s ban.

Talking to newsmen, Sreesanth (34) said his first priority was to get into the Kerala team. He said he was physically fit and hit the ground soon.

“Many people supported me in thick and thin. They stood with me. I am really indebted to them and I will not let them down,” he said in Kochi.

In May 2013, Delhi police had arrested Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates, Ajit Chadilia and Ankit Chavan, on charges of spot fixing. Later, the BCCI had imposed a life ban on him.