With his future in cricket still uncertain, Sreesanth starts nets after getting clean chit by Delhi court

Kochi: A day after being exonerated in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing case by a Delhi court, former India medium-pacer S Sreesanth took to net training at the Edapally school ground here.

All the 36 accused persons including Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila were on Saturday discharged in the IPL-6 spot fixing case by Patiala House Court.

The BCCI though refused to alter its disciplinary decision even after the verdict, but Sreesanth is eager to prove his fitness to the Indian board in order to make a comeback to competitive cricket.

As he reached the ground in the evening for practice, Sreesanth was given a rousing welcome by his fans. (Photo: PTI)

His mentor Shivakumar faced the first few balls in the nets at the Edappally High School ground, from where he started his cricketing career.

Sreesanth, 32, who is not allowed to play in the Kerala Cricket Association ground because of the ban, said he has a nostalgic feeling while playing in the school ground where he did a lot of practice in his younger days with his father Santhakumaran Nair and Shivakumar.

All the three accused cricketers had to spend time in jail during the course of investigation. Of the three, Sreesanth and Chavan are currently serving life bans imposed by the BCCI after the scandal shook the high-profile league, while Chandila's hearing is still on. 

Cleared by court but BCCI’s stand remains unaltered:

Notwithstanding the verdict of a Delhi court dropping charges against former India pacer S Sreesanth and two others in the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, the BCCI has decided to stick to its ban on the three cricketers for the time being.

"Any disciplinary proceeding or decision taken by the BCCI is independent to any criminal proceeding and has no bearing. The decisions of the BCCI, based on its independent disciplinary action, shall remain unaltered," BCCI had said in a statement.