Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth denies receiving notice on KCA’s three-year suspension, vows legal action

Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth has denied receiving any formal communication from the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) regarding his three-year suspension, claiming he learned of the disciplinary action only through media reports.

The suspension was announced following Sreesanth’s public criticism of the KCA over Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s ICC Champions Trophy squad earlier this year.

In a statement issued on Friday, April 30, after a special general body meeting held in Ernakulam, the KCA accused Sreesanth of making ‘false and defamatory’ remarks against the association. His comments allegedly suggested that the KCA played a role in keeping Samson out of the national team by forcing him to play for Kerala.

“I haven’t received any official notice or order from the KCA. Everything I know is from media reports,” said Sreesanth in a media interaction. “I still don’t know the exact reason for this action. I was merely standing up for a fellow state player. Once we receive formal communication, we’ll evaluate our legal options.”

Sreesanth currently co-owns the Kerala Cricket League franchise Kollam Aries.

He had made public remarks implying that Samson’s non-selection was influenced by the KCA’s internal politics. His statements prompted the association to issue show-cause notices not only to him but also to three franchise teams — Kollam Aries, Alleppey Team Lead Contender Sai Krishnan, and Alleppey Ripples.

After reviewing the responses from the franchise teams, the KCA found their explanations satisfactory and decided not to pursue further disciplinary action. However, the association advised all franchises to be more cautious when appointing individuals to management positions.

In a related move, the KCA has also announced plans to take legal action against Samson’s father, Samson Vishwanath, former Kerala cricketer Reji Lukose, and a television news anchor for allegedly making defamatory statements against the association.

Sreesanth has been no stranger to controversy throughout his career. Most notably, in 2013, he was arrested for alleged involvement in a spot-fixing scandal during the IPL while playing for Rajasthan Royals. Though he maintained his innocence, he was handed a life ban by the BCCI, later reduced to a seven-year suspension by the Supreme Court. That ban officially ended in 2020.

After his return, he represented Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2021. His final first-class appearance came in the 2021–22 Ranji Trophy season against Meghalaya. He retired from all forms of cricket in March 2023.

Sreesanth played 27 Test matches for India, claiming 87 wickets. In ODIs, he took 75 wickets in 53 appearances. He also featured in 10 T20 Internationals, picking up seven wickets. In the IPL, he represented Punjab Kings, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and Rajasthan Royals, with 40 wickets in 44 matches.

— With inputs from agencies