BCCI's legal team to study the judgement on Sreesanth

The BCCI is looking to adopt a wait and watch policy on pacer S Sreesanth, whose life ban was lifted by the Kerala High Court. The cricketer had challenged BCCI decision of not lifting the ban back in March. The ban was imposed by the BCCI after reports emerged that some of the cricketers were involved in match fixing, in the year 2013. The pacer challenged the decision by saying that it violates his constitutional right.

A preliminary report was submitted by the inquiry team led by BCCI president in Jun 2013 without giving him a chance of hearing. Though his side of the story was obtained in writing later, a supplementary report was filed in July without considering it. He was then issued a show cause notice by BCCI and later imposed a ban from playing international competitions and games conducted by clubs and institutions affiliated to it, as per the petition.

Here’s what BCCI’s affidavit said to the court

In April, the BCCI informed the high court that a criminal court exonerating him is 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. Therefore, on an appreciation of the same evidence, one may not be guilty of criminal consequences but can be found guilty for violating the internal disciplinary rules of an organization.”

“It was aware of the sessions court’s decision discharging Sreesanth of the charges but a working committee of BCCI that met at a later point of time decided not to lift the ban,” the affidavit had stated.

Sreesanth represented India in 27 Test matches, picking 87 wickets at an average of 37.59, whereas in ODIs, the pacer has scalped 75 wickets at an economy of 6.07. He last played for India against England in a Test match at the Oval.