KCA suspends former India fast bowler S Sreesanth for 3 years over defamatory remarks linked to Sanju Samson row

The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has suspended former India fast bowler S Sreesanth for three years for allegedly making false and defamatory statements against the body.

The disciplinary action follows Sreesanth’s controversial remarks in connection with Sanju Samson’s omission from the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, held in three Pakistan cities and Dubai earlier this year.

The decision was unanimously approved during a special General Body meeting held in Kochi on April 30, PTI reported.

In its official statement, the KCA said the suspension was in response to "misleading and derogatory comments" made by Sreesanth during a Malayalam television panel discussion.

Sreesanth, a two-time World Cup winner with India, had linked the KCA to Samson’s exclusion and criticised the association’s role, pledging support to the Kerala wicketkeeper-batter and other state players.

The KCA had earlier issued show-cause notices to Sreesanth and three Kerala Cricket League (KCL) franchise teams — Kollam Aeries (co-owned by Sreesanth), Alappuzha Team Lead, and Alappuzha Ripples. While the franchises provided satisfactory responses and were spared further action, the General Body urged stricter scrutiny while appointing team management personnel in the future.

Additionally, the KCA announced plans to file a compensation claim against Samson's father, Samson Vishwanath, and two others for allegedly making baseless allegations using the cricketer’s name.

Clarifying its position, the KCA emphasised that Sreesanth was not penalised for backing Samson, but for making unfounded public accusations that harmed the association’s reputation.

The controversy gained traction after Samson was left out of the Kerala squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy — an omission many believe affected his national team prospects.