Sreesanth open to playing for "other country" after restoration of life ban

Sreesanth open to playing for "other country" after restoration of life ban

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Written by: SportsCafe Desk

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Banned pacer S Sreesanth has stated that he will look to represent other countries if he is not allowed to play for India by the BCCI as there is still a lot of cricket left in him. Three days ago, a division bench of the Kerala High Court restored the life ban imposed on him by the BCCI.

In August, a single judge verdict had ordered the BCCI to lift the life ban imposed on the pacer, while allowing a petition filed by Sreesanth challenging the decision of the BCCI disciplinary committee. However, BCCI CEO Rahul Johri had filed an appeal and after that, the division bench of Kerala High Court restored the ban imposed by the BCCI, much to the dismay of Sreesanth as he had made public his desire to play for India in the 2019 World Cup. 

The Kerala bowler even called the verdict the ‘worst decision ever’ and questioned how Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, the IPL franchises which underwent a two-year suspension, were allowed to return. But after realizing that the possibility of him representing India is next to impossible, he stated his desire to play for some other country in future.

"BCCI has imposed the ban, not ICC. If not India, I can play for any other country, because am 34 now and I can only play for maximum six more years. As a person who loves cricket, I want to play cricket. And not only that, BCCI is a private firm; it is only us who say that this is the Indian team, but you know BCCI is a private body after all," Sreesanth was quoted as saying by PTI.

"So, if I play for any other country, it probably may be the same. Yes, representing Kerala in Ranji Trophy is different. I had hoped to win Ranji Trophy, Irani for Kerala, but the decision rests upon the BCCI."

Meanwhile, Jayesh George, the Kerala Cricket Association secretary, said the association supported Sreesanth after the ban was lifted but added that they would respect the latest verdict.

“We had made arrangements for him to undergo a full fitness test so as to make him match fit. Now with this verdict, we will have to respect it.”

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