Corruption in the IPL---Sreesanth vows to return from 'biggest setback'

Corruption in the IPL

Sreesanth vows to return from 'biggest setback'

A day after he was hit with a life ban by the BCCI, Sreesanth has vowed to make a comeback. He called the ban the "biggest setback" of his life, and continued to maintain that he was innocent.

"The BCCI action is the biggest setback in my life and I am disappointed," he told reporters in Kochi. "I will try to overcome the crisis and make a strong comeback."

His brother Dipu Santh told ESPNcricinfo that Sreesanth's camp will wait on the court's verdict before deciding on a further course of action. "Sreesanth is not in a hurry to challenge the BCCI sanction," he said. "He wants to wait on the Delhi court that is hearing the case of spot-fixing registered by Delhi Police against him and the other Rajasthan Royals players. The Patiala House Court is expected to hear the case on October 7 and Sreesanth's camp is confident that he would be acquitted of the all the allegations pressed against him by Delhi Police. We will wait for the court decision on October 7 before deciding on our next step."

Dipu Santh said his brother was more surprised than shocked by the BCCI disciplinary committee's verdict: "He thought the BCCI might take action only after the court's verdict. He did not expect the BCCI to take a decision so early."

On Friday, the BCCI had handed Sreesanth and his Rajasthan Royals team-mate Ankeet Chavan life bans after ruling them guilty of spot-fixing during IPL 2013.

Sreesanth reiterated he was not guilty. "I can tell that I have not done anything wrong," he said. "The only consolation for me now is that I am at home, not in a jail."

On Saturday morning, he tweeted: "Plss have faith in me..I am sure I will prove my innocence soon....I will get through this..I ve full faith ..God is great."

Sreesanth, Chavan and another Royals player, Ajit Chandila, were arrested by Delhi Police on May 16 in Mumbai, for the alleged fulfilling of promises made to bookmakers, along with eleven bookies including Amit Singh. Royals later suspended their players and the BCCI set up an inquiry into the matter, headed by its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit chief Ravi Sawani. Apart from the action taken by the board, the players face possible prison sentences should they be found guilty in a court of law. They were among 39 persons named in the Delhi Police's chargesheet on alleged corruption in the IPL in July, charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating and dishonesty under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. 

Sreesanth may be guilty, but where is the evidence? After he was arrested, each day media reported that strong evidences are collected by police against him. But nothing had been produced before the court. The court even asked the police that were he was framed. When he was sure to be granted bail, police suddenly came up with MCOCA law which kept him some more days in the jail. The charge was then removed by the court. Then the police requested to change the court and it was granted. I also believed that he was corrupt initially. But after smelling all these foul, now I have my doubts. After all, he was supposed to concede 14 runs in the over. But only 13 was scored in that over. In the first 4 balls only 5 runs were scored. If there was agreement, would a bowler wait for the last 2 balls to concede 9 runs, that too with clearly out of from gilchrist in the crease. And would the bookies pay the money for the bowler who conceded 1 runs lesser than the agreement. I have my doubts.  

At age 30, there will be no comeback for Sreesanth. That is obvious. And as far as guilty or innocent verdict goes I,as a reader and viewer of the media has not seen anything concrete yet. Above all, how can we , accept the continued presence of Sreenivasan in BCCI ? 30 lakhs rupees look peanuts, when we look at the corruption at the higher levels. I am in no way condoning the punishment for match fixing, but why is there no enquiry against Meiyappan or Sreenivasan ? If a genuine and honest ( LOL) enquiry is made, where do you think it will end ?