CoA will take up S Sreesanth's issue at March 18 meeting, says its chief Vinod Rai

After the Supreme Court on Friday asked the BCCI to reconsider the life ban which it imposed on pacer S Sreesanth over his alleged involvement in a spot-fixing scandal in the 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the ball is now in the latter’s court. It has been learned that the Kerala cricketer’s ban will be discussed when the Committee of Administrators (CoA) that runs the board meets next week.

A bench of the apex court comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice KM Joseph said the BCCI’s disciplinary panel may reconsider within three months the quantum of punishment to be handed to Sreesanth. The 36-year-old has been continuously seeking justice since his ban but failed to convince the board despite moving courts. Finally, he was relieved by the decision of the Supreme Court and thanked his lawyers besides revealing that he was about to announce his retirement from the game.

Sreesanth last played in a competitive game in 2013 IPL as the ban came on his way to make an appearance in any game at any level. Even Sreesanth’s wife had written an open letter to the BCCI stressing her husband’s innocence. The SC bench also made it clear that the cricketer must be heard by the committee on the quantum of the punishment. In response to the apex court’s ruling, CoA chief Vinod Rai said the matter will be taken up at the committee’s meeting on March 18.

“Yes, I have heard about the Supreme Court order. We will need to get a copy of the order. We will definitely take up the issue at the CoA meeting,” IndiaTV cited reports as quoting Rai. The CoA will discuss the BCCI’s anti-doping policies with ICC officials at the March 18 meeting and the issue of Sreesanth is likely to come up there. BCCI acting president CK Khanna said the CoA will have the call as the onus is on it to implement the Supreme Court’s order.

‘No comment to make’

“This is a Supreme Court order and obviously a call needs to be taken. I am confident that the issue will come up for serious deliberation at the next CoA meeting. As far as Sreesanth being brought back to mainstream cricket, I have no comment to make,” Khanna said.

Former BCCI vice-president and Kerala Cricket Association’s senior official TC Matthew welcomed the SC’s ruling and said although it is too late for Sreesanth now to return to first-class cricket, he could still play out some role related to the game.

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