More than eight years after getting linked to the spot-fixing scandal, former India pacer Sree Santh has finally opened up on the incident.

In 2013, Sree Santh and two other Rajasthan Royals cricketers were arrested for their alleged involvement in the IPL spot-fixing saga.

See Also: ‘Goal is to be in the 2023 World Cup team’, says Sreesanth

In an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda, Sree Santh said why would he do such a thing for merely Rs 10 lakhs.

“I had played the Irani Trophy and was looking to play the South African series, so that we can win in September 2013. We were going early, and it moves better in September. My goal was to play that series. A person like that, why would I do it, that too for 10 lakhs?, I am not talking big but I used to have bills of around 2 lakh when I partied around,” he told Sportskeeda.

Sree Santh further revealed that he was supposed to concede 14 runs in the over and he had given away 5 off 4 balls.

“It was supposed to be one over and 14-plus runs. I bowled four balls for five runs. No no-ball, no wide and not a single slower ball in an IPL game. I was bowling at 130-plus after 12 surgeries on my toe,” he said.

Sree Santh also thanked his fans and well-wishers for helping him get out of that terrible phase.

"In my life, I have only helped and given belief. I have helped a lot of people, and those prayers helped me get out of this. All I would ask is - two balls, five runs, two balls to go. How would I give away all that I had invested? No way,” he stated.

In 2019, the Supreme Court had asked the Indian board to shorten Sree Santh's lifetime ban to seven years, the duration of which ended in September last year. As a result, the Kerala paceman returned to competitive cricket via the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Sree Santh had also thrown his hat at IPL 2021 auction ring but he wasn’t roped in by any of the eight franchises.