September 13, 2020, marked the day on which former India cricketer Sreesanth’s 7-year ban from cricket came to an end. Sreesanth was arrested in 2013 for his involvement in a spot-fixing scandal along with Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan, who all represented Rajasthan Royals in that year’s IPL.

The 37-year-old was handed a life-ban by the BCCI for his alleged involvement in the IPL 2013 spot-fixing scandal along with Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. Sreesanth’s ban was then reduced to 7 years by a BCCI ombudsman on orders of the Supreme Court of India.

“I have got freedom, freedom to play again. It’s a massive relief. I don’t think anyone else will understand what it means to me,” Sreesanth told TOI.

“After a long wait, I can play again but there is no place to play in the country now. I even planned to organize a local tournament in Kochi this week so that I could step on to the field but decided against it looking at the risks involved, as the number of coronavirus cases in Kerala is increasing,” Sreesanth summed up his disappointment.

“Only 5-7 years of cricket left in me,” Sreesanth urges for a fair chance as his ban nears completion

However, the COVID-19 situation in India may lead to BCCI severely reducing or canceling the 2020-21 domestic season, which Sreesanth says has given him ample opportunity to think about his future in the game.

“From last May, I have put my heart and soul into the training looking forward to playing again. So when I read reports suggesting that the domestic cricket in India may be a non-starter this season, I was shattered. I even thought of quitting the game. But then I thought I wouldn’t be doing justice to myself as all the efforts I have made to play the game again for all these years would have gone down the drain,” 37-year-old Sreesanth said.

The pacer, with 87 wickets in Tests and 211 in first-class games to his name, is hopeful that BCCI will hold some form of domestic cricket this season as the livelihoods of many players in the country depend on it.

"My mother, who had to amputate one of her legs, also served as an inspiration. She asked me not to give up and I promised her I won’t,” revealed an emotional Sreesanth.

(Times of India inputs)