India’s 2007 World T20 and 2011 World Cup-winning fast bowler Sreesanth is raring to get back into the game once again, as his seven-year ban from cricket ends in September this year.
Sreesanth was banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for a lifetime in August 2013 along with his Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan for indulging in alleged spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) that year.
Last year, Sreesanth’s ban was reduced to seven years, which is set to complete on September 13 this year.
However, many things have changed in the 7 years he has been out of the game and one of the biggest changes brought by ICC affects the bowlers. The Coronavirus pandemic has led to the ICC banning use of saliva to shine the ball and has released guidelines that only sweat is allowed.
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Reflecting on the same Sreesanth opined on the issue and said, "It's being blown out of proportion, you can use sweat as well, you have to take care, you have to respect every decision the association is taking, it all comes down to skills. When I played county cricket, I learned that you just have to maintain the ball, it's more of keeping the ball dry.”
"I am very happy in one way, there is a positive that only the skillful bowlers can now perform. You need to move on and adapt, you have to adapt if you want to become successful, the need of the hour is to adapt. It's about practice, and players will eventually get used to it," he added.
The talented pacer is waiting for an official announcement of the end of his ban. "The official announcement will come in September, I am just continuing with my training. Everybody is being supportive from the Secretary to Director General, everybody has been supportive, selectors and coach want me in the team," Sreesanth said.
Sreesanth is certain of getting into the Kerala Ranji team and mentioned, “You will see me playing, I am just eagerly waiting to go forward. It's very, very clear I will be in the squad, the official announcement will be in September so I have to follow the rules and do things accordingly."
(ANI inputs)
