The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Ombudsman, Justice (retd) DK Jain has ordered that S Sreesanth’s ban will end on August 2020.
“Sreesanth is already facing a ban, for almost a period of six years now, which bars him from playing cricket or participating in any event, with which the BCCI is, directly or indirectly, associated.
“Even otherwise, for Mr. Sreesanth, who is now in his late thirties, his prime years as a cricketer, particularly as a fast bowler may already be over.
“Bearing in mind, all these factors, I am of the view that banning Sreesanth from participating in any kind of commercial cricket or from associating with any activities of the BCCI or its affiliates, for a period of seven years with effect from September 13, 2013, i.e. the date from which the period of ban imposed by the Disciplinary Committee had commenced, will meet the ends of justice,” the Ombudsman said in his August 7 order.
Notably, the BCCI had banned Sreesanth for life in August 2013 for his alleged involvement in the spot-fixing scandal in the 2013 Indian Premier League.
On 15 March, the Supreme Court had quashed the BCCI disciplinary committee’s order that imposed a life ban on Sreesanth and directed the committee to revise its decision.
At this, the BCCI had told the court that since its disciplinary committee, which had dealt with Sreesanth’s matter, was not operational anymore, the matter should be decided by the ombudsman appointed by the Supreme Court. Following this, Jain passed his orders on Tuesday, reducing the life ban on Sreesanth to seven years.
After his ban was reduced, an elated Sreesanth said he would aim to pick 100 Test wickets if he gets a chance to represent the national side again.
Notably, Sreesanth has 87 Test wickets from the 27 matches he has played.
(With inputs from IANS)