Published: Dec 01, 2014, 12:23 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 18, 2014, 06:55 PM (IST)
While the Mudgal panel’s final report on the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-fixing is heading towards a dramatic climax, S Sreesanth, the central cricketer in the saga, feels that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has meted out ‘more than injustice’ to him, but hopes to come out ‘clean’.
Charged by the police for bowling no balls in exchange for monetary consideration in an 2013 IPL match, Sreesanth was arrested and later banned for life by the BCCI.
In an interview with Hindustan Times (HT), Sreesanth said, “It’s more than injustice, but I don’t want to talk about this because my case is sub judice. I don’t want to make more enemies. But one thing is clear, I’ve not been pronounced guilty by the court. I am not bothered about others getting a clean chit. I think of myself and my cricket. There is no proof against me, but if there is, it should become clear (in the court).”
Sreesanth, who was playing for the Rahul Dravid-led Rajasthan Royals, said that he wasn’t given a chance to present his case properly and his fate was sealed in just five minutes. “They hardly even heard me and decided my fate in five minutes. I was told BCCI was looking into the matter and that I would be informed about the outcome of the inquiry. I had hardly come down and got into my car when I started getting calls from you (media) guys that I have been banned for life. I was shocked,” said Sreesanth.
Sreesanth, who has represented India in 27 Tests, spoke about the difficult one and half year he went through and the humiliations, he had to face. “Everything happening with me was insulting, but the biggest humiliation was taking away my cricket. My Kochi ground is just 500 metres from my home but I can’t even enter it. This is everyday humiliation,” said the 31 year old cricketer, who represents the Kerala state team.
However the fast bowler is keenly following the Supreme Court (SC) hearing and is hopeful that he will come out clean. “I believe something great will come out. As far as my case is concerned, one thing is clear… I am not even an accused in court, I am just a co-accused. There is nothing against me in the supplementary charge-sheet. My lawyers will argue on January 13. I have a feeling I will come clean,” said Sreesanth, who will be a father soon.
