The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has rescinded the three‑year sanction imposed on former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth following his unconditional apology for comments made against the board. The decision was unanimous at the KCA’s Special General Body meeting held on Wednesday, July 1.
The sanction had prohibited the 43‑year‑old from all KCA‑sanctioned activities, including his positions as mentor, brand ambassador, and co‑owner of the Kerala Cricket League franchise Aries Kollam Sailors.
What led to Sreesanth’s ban?
The suspension originated from a special general body meeting on Wednesday, April 30 2025, in Kochi, where Sreesanth’s public remarks on visual and social‑media platforms about the exclusion of Sanju Samson from India’s Champions Trophy squad drew criticism. He openly criticised the association and pledged support for Kerala players, statements the KCA considered detrimental to its reputation. Show‑cause notices were served to the franchise teams, but no further measures were taken as their replies were deemed satisfactory.
Sreesanth appealed the suspension in the Thiruvananthapuram Munsiff Court, which dismissed his petition, leaving the ban unchanged. Subsequently, he issued a formal apology to the KCA, acknowledging unconditional regret for his earlier comments. The Special General Body examined the apology thoroughly and voted unanimously to lift the suspension.
The KCA reinstated Sreesanth but issued a stern warning that any recurrence of such conduct or public statements damaging the association’s reputation would trigger severe disciplinary measures. He remains a co‑owner of Aries Kollam Sailors, participants in the third season of the Kerala Cricket League after having won the previous edition.
Sreesanth accumulated 27 Test matches, 53 One‑Day Internationals, and 10 T20 Internationals for India, contributing to the nation’s victories in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup. The revocation resolves a dispute that originated in April 2025, enabling his continued participation in Kerala’s domestic cricket framework through the current Kerala Cricket League season.