The Story

Sreesanth, the former India fast bowler, can now feel fully relieved from the burden of his tainted past after the Kerala High Court passed the judgement to lift the ban imposed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on him.

The right arm seamer, once earmarked for great success, was banned in September 2013 for his alleged spot fixing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after he was arrested by the Delhi police along with Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan.

Subsequently, following a preliminary report submitted by the enquiry team led by BCCI president in Jun 2013, Sreesanth was issued a show cause notice and banned from playing international competitions and games conducted by clubs and institutions affiliated to it.

He was later acquitted in July 2015. But, despite the fact, the BCCI continued to enforce the ban on him.

Ban gets challenged

Sreesanth challenged BCCI’s stance in the high court pointing out that the non-withdrawal of his ban after exoneration from criminal court violated his constitutional rights.

BCCI defended its decision stating that exoneration from a criminal court was not enough to lift the lifetime ban. BCCI’s affidavit to the court had stated, “The standard of proof required under a penal statute is much higher than the proof required for a disciplinary inquiry.

Earlier this year in May, Kerala HC sought BCCI’s stand on the plea filed by Sreesanth which challenged the life ban. Eventually, things seem to have fallen in his favour now.

S Sreesanth expressed happiness and wrote on Twitter: “God is great…Thanks for the all the love and support”.