S Sreesanth to route his return to cricket via Scotland

Former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth who has been banned for life by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for his alleged involvement in the IPL spot-fixing scandal in 2013. Now that the doors for his comeback seem to be closed here the Kerala cricketer is targeting a return next year with the Scotland team.

Sreesanth along with the other accused were acquitted by the Delhi High Court of all the charges in 2015 but the board hasn’t changed its stance and hasn’t lifted the ban. While talking at an event the 33-year-old was quoted by the Peninsula as saying, “I hope the year 2017 is interesting. Maybe cricket is calling me back again,”

“I have got a good offer from a Scottish First Division club side. (It) depends on (if) BCCI gives me permission or not,” he added.

“As far as I remember, the ban for me was for not to play in BCCI tournaments and not to represent BCCI. Maybe, I will get an opportunity to play there.

“If I can keep myself fit, which is very important in the cold conditions. When it comes to fitness, you need to be fit for play five days a week. I am looking forward to it,” Sreesanth said.

He had requested the BCCI to allow him to play club cricket but there was no response from the board. “I not happy with the way BCCI has treated me. I am waiting to get (BCCI’s) permission to play club cricket.

“(I am) not disappointed, but upset, even after clearing my name, and having things sorted out, I have not got a response from the BCCI. I have been sending mails and letters, but there has been no response from BCCI since July 2015, when the court case got over,” Sreesanth said.

“If you get out of the country, still you need permission from BCCI to play in the Scotland league, since I had a contract with BCCI,” he explained.

He is optimistic of a better year in 2017 and believes the tough times have passed. “Tough times do not last long. It has all been an experience for me. I have taken it (the setback) in my stride. It is very easy to blame a lot of people, but honestly I am fortunate to get my family’s support,” he said.

“After the 2011 Birmingham Test, I could hardly walk. I played the match after taking injection for injuries to my big toes. I could only bowl at an average of 78 to 75 miles per hour, which was way slower than my normal speed,” Sreesanth recalled.

“I called up my brother and told me him that ‘I am done with the game’. Since it is difficult to come back after surgeries,” he said.

“I had 12 surgeries on my big toes after the Birmingham Test … I was on a wheelchair for a while. But I came back, came back strongly and got a contract in IPL with Rajasthan Royals.

“So in a way, I was fortunate to stage a big comeback,” Sreesanth said.