Former Indian cricketer Sreesanth has been suspended for three years by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for allegedly making false and damaging statements about the association in connection with Sanju Samson's exclusion from India’s Champions Trophy squad.

The suspension follows comments Sreesanth made during a Malayalam TV panel discussion, where he appeared to criticize the KCA while expressing support for Samson and other Kerala players. The KCA clarified that the action was taken not because he backed Samson, but due to his misleading and disparaging remarks about the association.

Criticism had mounted against the KCA for possibly impacting Samson’s selection chances by omitting him from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. Sreesanth, who co-owns the Kerala Cricket League team Kollam Aeries, was issued a show-cause notice alongside his team and two others—Alappuzha Team Lead and Alappuzha Ripples.

While the franchise teams gave satisfactory explanations and faced no further action, the KCA emphasized the need for more caution in appointing team management personnel. The decision to suspend Sreesanth was finalized during a special General Body meeting on April 30 in Kochi.

The KCA also announced plans to seek compensation from Samson’s father, Samson Vishwanath, and two others for allegedly using Sanju Samson’s name to level false accusations.

(PTI inputs)