Sreesanth elated to play again

Kochi: Decks have been cleared for Sreesanth's return to cricket from September 2020 with BCCI ombudsman D.K. Jain reducing the life ban on him for spot-fixing to seven years. An elated Sreesanth, who has already served six years of the ban, said that he was aware that the order was coming.

Sreesanth will be 37 next year when he will return to the pitch. "I don't see my age as a problem and I have great expectations in my fitness and am confident to return and play. It is a golden opportunity to return to the field in a year," said Sreesanth.

He has at least four years of play left in his career, he said. "There are good trainers and with their help, fitness can be sustained. Leander Paes won a title at the age of 44 and Federer does it at the age of 38. There are more examples and I am confident that I can perform well. I am thankful to all who supported me during the crisis. My experience sends out the message that none should succumb to such setbacks," said Sreesanth.           

The players in the Kerala team had given him support all through. "Now I am not going to complain against anybody or raise any accusation. I wish nobody ever undergoes the kind of experience my family, my friends and I underwent," he said.

The BCCI had slapped a life ban on Sreesanth in 2013. With the ban ending, he can play in BCCI -affiliated clubs and teams.