‘Fight as long as you breathe’

It was the culmination of a long wait for former Indian cricketer Sreesanth —  almost six long years during which he valiantly held on to his staunch belief in God and the hope that justice would prevail. And on Friday, it did in the form of a Bench of Justices of the Supreme Court — Ashok Bhushan and K.M. Joseph — who provided a huge relief for the cricketer by revoking his life ban in the 2103 IPL spot-fixing case and asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to re-examine its quantum of punishment.

To a man whose life revolved only around cricket, a life ban was nothing less than shattering. He could no longer play for his country or wear his beloved jersey colours — again, something akin to severing his limbs. Call him hot-headed, emotional and prone to histrionics on the field, but what cannot be denied was his talent on the pitch.   

Sreesanth was in Delhi when the verdict was announced. He had been hopeful of a positive outcome because the preliminary hearing went off well. “God’s grace,” he begins emotionally sharing that he is very happy. “Life is not short, but a long journey and you have to keep on fighting as long as you breathe and not give up! I keep on telling my friends and relatives to learn from my struggle and my success and never to cave in. I believe in giving my best and good will come,” he states.

Sreesanth’s belief in God has stood him in good stead, but more than that, it is his ability to rise like the proverbial phoenix that deserves mention. He also had the backing of countless number of admirers — a fact he is aware of. Sreesanth’s heart is full and he expresses his gratitude to the judges who heard the matter and took a just stand. Another person who Sreesanth owes is senior advocate Salman Khurshid who appeared for him and the entire team of lawyers who supported him, and last but not the least, his family and friends.

The former cricketer does not harbor any resentment towards anybody — not even his critics — and prefers to philosophise. “I am more thankful to the people who criticised me because they motivated me to reach higher.” It has been a long five-and-a-half years and he is 36 now. “It has been a long time and even the other guilty cricketers got only five years, but I was not given any respite.” Incidentally, former Indian captain Mohd. Azharuddin’s life ban was overturned as also Pakistan’s Salim Malik’s life ban. Hansie Cronje, who was given a life ban, died in a plane crash when the proceedings were not closed.

For years, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has been backing Sreesanth by urging the BCCI to lift the ban. Former KCA president T.C. Mathew was one among the many who have been in support of the pacer since the ban. Responding to the SC verdict to lift the ban, Mathew shares his gladness. “Justice is served, very delayed though. We were all hoping for the best and it is a moment to cherish. Now, he should find out how he can make himself available in cricketing matters. He is a very passionate person and I am sure he would do anything to get back to the field. But there are many factors we need to check before that. I am also hopeful that he will be given the payment that is due from the club and the BCCI if there are any. Because it is a very important phase of his career and he missed a big part. He could have played so many matches for his club and the country, had he been not banned. Now justice is done and hopefully, everything would turn out well for him from now on.”

The former cricketer’s supporters are in a jubilant mood. Aby Mathew, who heads the Bring Back Sreesanth page on Facebook having around 44,000 members, is a long-time friend. “Knowing his passion for the game, obviously his inability to play had hurt him very deeply. His dream is to wear the Indian jersey colours again,” he says. The group is planning a huge welcome for their star once he returns to Kerala.

Sreesanth is optimistic. “I am confident that once I pick up the cricket bat and ball again, people will remember the old Sreesanth again. I am still sharp and fast and hopefully, I can play matches for my team once again. There are so many leagues now,” he stops a moment, mulls and says, “I want to see my children wearing my jersey, which is my biggest dream.”

(with input from Gokul M.G.)