Former India fast bowler Sreesanth has dropped a bombshell by revealing that he was denied a farewell match by Kerala Cricket Association and the team management in their last Ranji Trophy 2022 match against Gujarat.

Sreesanth announced his retirement from all forms of Indian domestic cricket on Wednesday (March 9), after playing just one Ranji Trophy match post his return from the seven-year ban imposed on him by the BCCI for his alleged involvement in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal. He also had played few games for Kerala in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2021.

READ ALSO: Sreesanth announces retirement from Indian domestic cricket

Talking to Manorama after his retirement, Sreesanth said he had informed the team management of his decision ahead of their last group match against Kerala, “I was looking forward to playing the match against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy. In the team meeting ahead of the game, I had made it clear that it would be my last match for Kerala. I believe I deserved a farewell match,”

The 39-year-old believes he can still bowl quicker than any 19-year-old, but he doesn't want to hold a spot of a youngster. “Of course. I can still bowl at 132 kmph consistently. I can bowl as quickly as any 19-year-old bowler. However, I do not want to eat up the place of a deserving youngster.”

Sreesanth then opened up on his future plans in cricket, as well as a career in films. “I am open to playing franchise-based leagues across the world. I have received some coaching offers too. Also, I want to focus on my film career. My first movie in Tamil will hit the screens in April. I have already acted in a Kannada movie called Kempegowda 2,” he said.

Sreesanth took 169 wickets across formats for India and was part of the victorious 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 Cricket World Cup sides.