Kerala fast bowler S Sreesanth received a major boost to his comeback in competitive cricket, after being included in Kerala’s Ranji side.
Santhakumaran Sreesanth will now be able to take part in 2020-2021 edition of the Ranji Trophy once his ban period culminates in September this year.
The tainted seamer has been out of cricket for the past seven years since the spot-fixing scandal unravelled in 2013.
Two other Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) cricketers involved in the scandal were Ajit Chandila and Ankit Chavan. Consequently, the BCCI imposed a life ban on the former Indian international.
However, in 2019, the Supreme Court upheld his guilt and also asked the apex cricketing board in India to reduce the magnitude of the ban period.
“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,” Hindustan Times quoted Sreesanth.
The Secretary of Kerala Cricket Association KCA, Sreeith Nair, believed Sree to be an asset for the state team.
Kerala previously produced fast-bowlers such as Tinu Youhanan. Their current team includes stars such as Sanju Samson, Sachin Baby, and Basil Thampi.
“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.
Further, Sree turned out to be quite the good luck charm for India in the World Cup finals of 2007 and 2011.
The pacer famously took the catch of Misbah-ul-Haq, which helped India win the 2007 T20 World Cup. Sreesanth was also part of the 2011 ODI World Cup finals against Sri Lanka.
