S Sreesanth, the tainted Indian fast bowler, is set to mark his comeback in the President’s T20 Cup- a tournament organised by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). Back in September, the 37-year-old pacer’s seven-year-long ban ended after his career went into the doldrums due to the spot-fixing scandal in the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL).
As far as the T20 championship is concerned, it’s subject to government clearance and the dates aren’t fixed either, though it’s learned that the tournament might take place in the month of December.
Sreesanth last played a competitive match, representing the Royals against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) back on May 9, 2013. Ever since then, he has fought for his survival and tried his best to make a comeback to competitive cricket.
‘Yes, definitely. Sreesanth will be an attraction. Every player will be in a bio-bubble in one hotel in Alappuzha. We are looking at the first week of December. The clearance from the Kerala government is the main thing,’ Sajan K. Varghese, the president of Kerala Cricket Association was quoted as saying to Sportstar.
Dream11, the popular fantasy platform, is on board for the championship. ‘With the support of Dream11, it is a league format that we have planned. All the teams, from different age groups, are from Kerala,’ the president added.
When Sreesanth started his cricket career, he was deemed to be one of the brightest prospects in Indian cricket. In 2005, he made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. Then in 2006, the speedster forayed into Test and T20I cricket.
In 27 Tests, 53 ODIs and 10 T20Is, the pacer picked up 87, 75 and seven wickets respectively. He also has four five-wicket hauls to show for his efforts. He last donned the national jersey during India’s tour of England back in 2011.
Sreesanth is mostly known for his celebrations and the catch he took in the final of the T20 World Cup in 2007 to dismiss Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq.
