Kochi: BCCI vice-president T.C. Mathew has said that former Indian cricketer S. Sreesanth, who is currently serving life ban imposed by the board, could still return to the national team.
"If Ashish Nehra can return to the national side at the age of 37, then Sreesanth too can make it. The 33-year-old Sreesanth is still a terrific bowler and he is undergoing rigorous training," Mathew told Manorama News Sunday.
Though Sreesanth was exonerated in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing case by a Delhi court, the BCCI refused to alter its disciplinary decision.
The three cricketers - Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan - were banned for life from the sport by BCCI immediately after police action in the alleged scam. The Kerala Cricket Association had made a plea to the BCCI after the court verdict for allowing Sreesanth to play again but the then BCCI chief Anurag Thakur said there will be no rethink on the life ban.
Mathew's remarks gain significance as the BCCI has undergone a change of guard and is currently headed by a 4-member panel with Vinod Rai as its chief. Mathew has also asked the Keralite speedster to formally write a letter in this regard to Vinod Rai.
Mathew further said that former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid had also remarked that Sreesanth was good bowler.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Cricket League had called Sreesanth to play in their team. But for this too, Sreesanth needs to get a go-ahead from the BCCI.
