The lifetime ban on cricketer S. Sreesanth has send a shockwave through the cricket fraternity in Kerala who believe the decision is uncharacteristically harsh. Members of Kerala Cricket Association who had vowed their silent backing to the speedster in wake of the spot-fixing row, refused to comment on the ban.
However, the issue opened floodgates elsewhere. Jayan Thekkedath, close friend and director of S36, Sreesanth’s sports store in Kochi termed the ban as a continuation of the bigger conspiracy that had landed him behind the bars initially. “Some of my friends in Delhi had hinted in the morning that there would be a ban and I thought that would never be the case, but look it has come real. This is all pre-planned,” said Jayan.
Veteran coach P. Balachandran feels the BCCI could have acted more judiciously. “I think a suspension would have been fair until the verdict was given. It is shocking nevertheless as we always love our cricketers,” said Balachandran.
Sreesanth’s lawyer Rebecca John said they would be challenging the ban in the court. “It is against all laws of natural justice and we will challenge the ban. They cannot take such hazy decisions and make players look like scapegoats,” said Rebecca.