New Delhi:
Sreesanth, who tried for five long years to get the life-ban lifted has finally got a bit relief from the turmoil he has been through in the last six years as the Supreme Court revoked the life ban imposed on him from cricket on Friday. The apex court gave the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) three months (90 days) stint to decide afresh on the point of the quantum of punishment for the spearhead. When the news hit Sreesanth's ears' he was not only relieved but is hopeful to be back on the cricket field soon.
"I need cricket back, I do not think it will take BCCI 90 days to make the decision but I am grateful that the life ban has been removed. I fought my battle all by myself. My practice is going on and the road ahead totally depends on the selectors," Sreesanth told reporters after the verdict.
"It was a huge fight and the Supreme Court has given me a lifeline. There were so many opportunities where I was even going to announce my retirement, but thank god I didn't. I have started staying fit to play the game, thanks to the T20 and T10 leagues, I can still earn my bread and butter somewhere," he said.
"I am not bothered by my fitness as I am inspired by Leander Paes and Ashish Nehra, they both kept on playing even after reaching the age of 36. I just hope BCCI does not announce their decision on the 90th day, I hope they do it in a couple of weeks time," Sreesanth said.
The ball is in the BCCI's court now and they have to decide on the fresh punishment they want to impose and leave any door open for Sreesanth to make a comeback to competitive cricket or even the Indian team. The apex court also said that its verdict will have no effect on the criminal proceedings pending against the former cricketer in the Delhi High Court, where the Delhi Police has challenged a trial court's order discharging all accused, including Sreesanth, in the IPL spot-fixing case.
The bench passed this order on Sreesanth's plea challenging the decision of a division bench of the Kerala High Court which had restored the life ban imposed on him by the BCCI.
