Sreesanth to defy BCCI and play for Ernakulam Cricket Club

S Sreesanth, who was banned for life by the Board of Control for Cricket in India due to his alleged involvement in the Indian Premier League spot-fixing scandal of 2013, is all set to return to the playing field. The tainted Indian fast bowler in all likelihood will play for the Ernakulam Cricket Club in a first division two-day game, commencing on Sunday (February 19).

Earlier, the BCCI had declined to give the pacer a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to travel to Scotland and play club cricket. “When there is no official letter stating my life ban, then why will the umpires stop me from playing? All that I have received is a suspension letter when I was in Tihar jail.

“A suspension letter is valid only for 90 days. The BCCI has announced about my life ban only in the media. There is no official correspondence till date. I was stupid to have not played cricket for this long. The way I have been ill-treated is probably even worse than a terrorist.” he was quoted by Hindustan Times.

The BCCI hasn’t yet responded on the matter. However, they are expected to release a statement soon. In 2013, Sreesanth and two other Rajasthan Royals cricketers – Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandila – were arrested over charges of spot-fixing. All three players were also banned for life by the the board.

However, in 2015, the 34-year-old pacer was acquitted of spot-fixing charges by a Delhi trial court as a result of insufficient proof under the MCOCA act. “I will try to start training properly as soon as possible,” Sreesanth had said after he was cleared. “I wasn’t allowed anything.. Hopefully I can get permission from BCCI to use their facilities so that I can get fit and come into the selection process.”