I am not begging, I just want my livelihood back: S Sreesanth

India fast bowler S Sreesanth has made it clear that he is not begging to the Indian board and just wants his livelihood back. From being a part of two World Cup winning teams to spending the torrid time in Delhi’s Tihar jail, the bowler has bared all the brunts of life until now. Sreesanth is fighting it out with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to lift his lifelong ban from playing the game.

However, the Kerala High Court had lifted his ban imposed by BCCI last month but the board decided to appeal the decision to the higher authority. Sreesanth had also dreamed of being a part of India’s Test side for the upcoming South Africa tour but his return to cricket looks distant as of now. The bowler was slapped a life ban by BCCI’s Disciplinary Committee headed by current Union Minister Arun Jaitley on September 13, 2013.

My arrest was planned

In an interview Sreesanth expressed his feeling on being banned from playing his favourite game and how his arrest was planned. He also spoke about the decision made by Kerala High Court and was satisfied that they lifted his ban. “I’m not begging, I’m only asking for my livelihood back. It was a good order and the best part which felt good was in the end when the Judge stated that they stole my livelihood and it was indeed a wrong doing,” he told India TV.

He also revealed his arrest details and recalled how those days were like horror for him. “I was arrested around 3 AM, that time I was in the IPL after-match party along with many cricketers from Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. I was leaving from the club and was heading towards my friend’s place where I felt like I got kidnapped. I thought it was a joke but from there I was taken to a safe house where I could not even get any bail. I was kept there till around 7 or 7.30. I was then taken to the magistrate’s house, it was a Saturday and Sunday where I couldn’t even apply for bail. It seemed planned,” Sreesanth, who has always been the favourite child of controversy, said.

On account of the life ban, he cannot play even league cricket nor get access to practice facilities at any of the cricket grounds where the BCCI or the State Cricket Associations have a stake.