Sreesanth's professional cricket comeback confirmed as Kerala picks him in Ranji probables

S Sreesanth, the tainted Indian fast bowler, is all set to make his comeback in competitive cricket after a gap of more than seven years. The KSCA has decided to consider the speedster to play for Kerala in the 2020-21 edition of the Ranji Trophy. He last played a first-class game on February 2013, representing the Rest of India (ROI) in the match against Mumbai in the Irani Cup.

But the spot-fixing scandal a couple of months later in the Indian Premier League (IPL), turned his career upside down. After getting picked, the 37-year-old expressed gratitude on being given a chance to play cricket again. The controversial pacer is ready to park aside all the mishaps in his career and wishes to start on a fresh note.

S Sreesanth ready to make a fresh start

“I am really indebted to the KCA for giving me a chance. I will prove my fitness and storm back to the game. It is time for all controversies to take rest,” the Kerala-born Sreesanth was quoted as saying in Hindustan Times.

In the 2013 IPL, representing the Rajasthan Royals (RR), he along with Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandila, was levelled with charges of spot-fixing. Thereafter, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) imposed a life-ban on him. Ever since then, the veteran seamer embarked on a battle, which lasted for a long time.

In 2019, the Supreme Court upheld his guilt. However, they also asked the BCCI to reduce the quantum of punishment. In the end, the world’s richest cricket board got down the suspension period to seven years, which will end on September 2020.

About his comeback to the Kerala team, Sreeith Nair, the KCA secretary, mentioned that Sreesanth will be an asset to the state team. Kerala recently appointed Tinu Yohanan, the former Indian fast bowler, as their head coach.

In his career, Sreesanth has played 73 first-class, 86 List A and 60 T20s, taking 211, 111 and 50 wickets respectively. At the national level, he has 169 wickets from 90 matches.

He’s mostly known for the catch he took in the 2007 T20 World Cup final to dismiss Misbah-ul-Haq, and his aggressive celebrations. He also played against Sri Lanka in the 2011 World Cup final.