S Sreesanth is set for another comeback in domestic cricket after being named in Kerala’s preliminary squad for Ranji Trophy 2021/22. S Sreesanth hasn’t played a red-ball fixture since the 2013 Irani Cup.
Nearly 9 years after his previous red-ball appearance, S Sreesanth looks set to make another comeback to the format as he has been included in Kerala’s preliminary Ranji Trophy squad for the 2021/22 season. S Sreesanth didn’t play any of the white-ball fixtures for Kerala this season. But he now looks set for a mega comeback.
S Sreesanth Excited Like U19 Boy After Being Picked In Kerala’s Squad For Ranji Trophy, His Previous Red Ball Match Came During Irani Cup 2013
Reacting to his inclusion in the squad, S Sreesanth said that he is as excited as he was when got the red ball for the first time as a U-19 boy. S Sreesanth had made his first-class debut in the 2002/03 season and made his Test debut against England in 2006. Speaking via video, the 38-year-old thanked fans for their support and stated that it was great to “be back in the whites again”.
“Hi! Good afternoon and thank you very much for the love and support. Its great to be back in the whites again, bowling red ball, that too for my state where it all started”, he said.
“I’m really excited just like the U19 boy who got the red ball for the first time”, he concluded.
S Sreesanth’s previous red-ball appearance came in the high-profile final of the Irani Cup 2013. He was part of the Harbhajan Singh-led Rest of India squad, which included the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina among others.
They were up against Abhishek Nayar-led Mumbai. The Mumbai squad included the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur to name a few. Should S Sreesanth make it to the final XI, he will return to 4-day cricket for the first time in 9 years.
After his ban was lifted, S Sreesanth returned to competitive cricket in the 50 over and 20 over domestic trophies. S Sreesanth took 4 scalps in 5 games in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 2020/21 and picked 13 scalps, including a 4 wicket and a 5 wicket haul in 6 games in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2020/21 on his return to domestic cricket.
S Sreesanth made his international debut in 2005, in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Nagpur. He became part of Indian cricketing folklore when he took the catch of Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq to seal the Indian team’s victory in the inaugural 2007 T20I World Cup final. He was also part of the playing XI that lifted the 2011 50-over World Cup four years later.
Sachin Baby Named Kerala’s Skipper Which Includes Sanju Samson And Jalaj Saxena
The right-arm pacer has 211 wickets in 73 first-class matches he has played so far. In 27 Tests, he has dismissed 87 batsmen. S Sreesanth’s previous Test appearance for Team India came back in 2011 against England.
Sachin Baby has been named as the captain of the Kerala cricket team for the upcoming tournament. He will be assisted by Vishnu Vinod, who will also don the gloves. Sanju Samson will have much responsibility to score runs. The Kerala squad also includes Jalaj Saxena and Basil Thampi.
Kerala kick off its campaign against Vidarbha on January 13. They will next face Bengal, Rajasthan, Tripura, and Haryana. Kerela will be playing their fixtures in Bengaluru.
In the longer version, his finest moment came when he claimed eight wickets in India’s maiden Test win in South Africa – Johannesburg 2006. S Sreesanth ended his international career with 27 Tests, 53 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, claiming a total of 169 scalps. He picked up 87, 75, and seven wickets respectively.