With the chances of playing in India looking absolutely bleak, discarded fast bowler S Sreesanth is looking to revive his cricketing career in Scotland.
The former India bowler, along with his Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, was banned for life by the BCCI’s disciplinary committee in September 2013 after being found guilty of match-fixing. Two years later, the Kerela bowler was cleared of the charges by a Delhi trial court due to insufficient evidence under the MCOCA act, a special law passed by the Maharashtra state government to tackle organised crime syndicates and terrorism.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not allowing him to get back to action since their decision was independent to any criminal proceeding and was based on its independent disciplinary action.
But it is not stopping the 34-year-old from harbouring hopes of playing the game again. In fact, he is so desperate to return to action that he is ready to play for Glenrothes Cricket Club, a small club in Scotland.
Speaking to The Scottish Mail on Sunday, Sreesanth said:
“The only thing missing in my life is cricket. Making movies is great but if you ask me at 3am what I really want to do, it’s put on my whites and play cricket. I don’t want to waste any more of my cricketing years.”
“I haven’t played for three years and if I can get the ban lifted, I will be on the next flight to Scotland. I would love to play for the club and work with the youngsters to share some of my skills,” he added.
Cricket Scotland will not allow him to be registered as a Glenrothes player until he gets a ‘No Objection Certificate’, from the BCCI. And in case, the Indian board does not issue him the certificate, the Scottish club is planning to take the fight to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
Eddie Gibbs, president of Glenrothes Cricket Club president Eddie Gibbs, called the Indian bowler innocent and accused the BCCI of denying justice to the pacer.
He said:
“He is genuinely innocent and this is a miscarriage of justice.The BCCI are the only ones who can make this all go away as there is no system for appeal or natural justice. But they refuse to talk to the player or his representatives.”
Meanwhile, Sreesanth further said he is just asking the BCCI to lift the life ban so that he can revive his career at the club level.
“I’m not asking for the BCCI to let me back into the Indian team but if they would just lift the ban I could start again at club level. Eddie has become like family to me. He’s given me a great opportunity at Glenrothes.”
Sreesanth has been forced to train at a private cricket academy since he is also banned from using any BCCI infrastructure. Frustrated with the treatment he has received, he said:
“It’s my ground, so no one can stop me. I’ve been very badly treated for a two-time World Cup winner. I will never give up trying to get back to play cricket.
“I’m looking fit and bowling much better than the way I used to play. With age comes maturity, now I’m able to control my aggression on the field better and focus on my performance. I’m ready for Scotland,” he concluded.