S Sreesanth Finally Returns to Cricket Field
Jan 9, 2019 at 4:02 PM
After spending more than four years outside the cricket field, fighting against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to prove his innocence, fast-bowler S Sreesanth has finally made a comeback to the ground on Tuesday (August 15), when he led a team during an unsanctioned exhibition match involving members of Malayalam film industry.
The right-arm pacer, who was banned for life by the BCCI’s disciplinary committee in September 2013, was cleared of all charges by a Delhi trial court in 2015 due to insufficient evidence.
However, the BCCI has not lifted the ban since their decision was independent to any criminal proceeding and was based on its independent disciplinary action.
Earlier this month, he got a huge sigh of relief when a Kerala High Court ordered BCCI to lift the life ban imposed on the bowler. But at the time being, Sreesanth has not been cleared to play official games, as the board has still not lifted the ban and decided to appeal to a larger bench of the Court.
But it has not stopped him from finally doing what he does best, as he led the Playback Singers XI against the Producers X at the ground where he first played. The 34-year-old opened the bowling as well as batting.
He also hoisted the national flag on the Independence Day and expressed his delight over starting his comeback from the ground where it all began.
“I am really happy that I am back and I am beginning my return from the same ground where it all began. Now from here, I want to reach Thiruvananthapuram and from there upwards and back to the Indian team,” said Sreesanth, though it looks very difficult at this point in time.
The second cricketer from Kerala to don the Indian jersey, Sreesanth has played 27 Tests and 53 ODI, taking 87 and 75 wickets, respectively. He also has seven wickets from 10 T20 Internationals.