Former India pacer S Sreesanth has received a major boost after the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) officially revoked the three-year ban imposed on him. The decision was announced on Wednesday following the KCA’s Special General Body meeting held on July 1. The association stated that it had accepted Sreesanth’s unconditional apology and unanimously decided to lift the suspension.
The ban was originally imposed in 2025 after Sreesanth made critical remarks against the Kerala Cricket Association following Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s ICC Champions Trophy squad. The former fast bowler publicly questioned the KCA’s role in the selection process, prompting the state board to accuse him of making false and defamatory statements. At the time, Sreesanth was also associated with the Kollam Aries franchise in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL).
The KCA maintained that Sreesanth’s comments had tarnished the association’s reputation and consequently barred him from participating in cricket-related activities under its jurisdiction for three years. However, the former India pacer later issued multiple apologies, expressing regret over his remarks and requesting the board to reconsider its decision.
According to the KCA, the suspension was revoked after Sreesanth submitted an unconditional apology. While lifting the ban, the association also issued a warning, stating that any similar conduct in the future would result in strict disciplinary action. With the suspension now removed, Sreesanth will continue as the co-owner of the Aries Kollam Sailors franchise in Season 3 of the Kerala Cricket League.
IPL 2013 Spot-Fixing Case and Seven-Year Ban
Sreesanth’s cricket career has been filled with both remarkable achievements and major controversies. One of the most memorable incidents occurred during the inaugural IPL season in 2008 when Harbhajan Singh slapped him after a match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab. The emotional images of Sreesanth in tears became one of the defining moments in IPL history, while Harbhajan was later penalized for his actions.
A bigger controversy followed in 2013 when Sreesanth was handed a life ban after being accused of spot-fixing during the IPL. Investigators alleged that he accepted money to concede a predetermined number of runs in specific matches. However, in March 2019, the Supreme Court set aside the lifetime ban, calling the punishment “too harsh.” The BCCI subsequently reduced the suspension to seven years, which officially ended in September 2020.
Despite the controversies, Sreesanth remains one of India’s notable fast bowlers. He played a key role in India’s triumphs at the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup. During his international career, he represented India in 27 Tests, 53 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, picking up several memorable performances before injuries and off-field issues interrupted his career.