The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has suspended former India fast bowler S Sreesanth for three years from all its activities. This decision came after he allegedly made false and offensive remarks about the KCA, especially linked to the recent controversy over Sanju Samson’s exclusion from India’s Champions Trophy squad. The suspension was decided during a special General Body meeting in Kochi on April 30. Sreesanth, who is also a co-owner of the Kerala Cricket League team Kollam Aeries will now be barred from all KCA-related engagements.
Before handing Sreesanth a three-year suspension, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) had issued show-cause notices to him and to three Kerala Cricket League teams — Kollam Aeries, Alappuzha Team Lead and Alappuzha Ripples. These notices came after Sreesanth made controversial comments that the KCA found to be false and damaging, particularly in connection with the Sanju Samson selection issue.
In an official statement, a Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) spokesperson said:
“Following the controversial remarks, the KCA had issued show-cause notices to Sreesanth and the franchisee teams Kollam Aries, Alleppey Team Lead content creator Sai Krishnan, and Alleppey Ripples. As the franchisee teams gave satisfactory replies to the notice, the meeting decided not to proceed with further action against them. However, the KCA instructed the team management to be vigilant when including members.”
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has also decided to take legal action and seek compensation from Sanju Samson’s father, Samson Vishwanath along with two others. This move comes after the KCA claimed that the trio made baseless accusations involving Sanju’s name, which the association believes has harmed its reputation.
KCA Issues Show-Cause Notice to Sreesanth Over Controversial Remarks
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) had earlier issued a show-cause notice to former India pacer S Sreesanth after he made controversial comments during a TV panel discussion. Sreesanth had spoken in support of Sanju Samson and other Kerala players but also criticized the KCA linking them to the controversy over Samson’s non-selection.
The KCA later clarified that the notice wasn’t about Sreesanth supporting Samson, but about him making misleading and defamatory remarks about the association. His comments came amid backlash over Samson being left out of Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad, which many felt hurt his chances for the Champions Trophy.
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) clarified that the show-cause notice to S Sreesanth wasn’t because he supported Sanju Samson, but because he made what they called false and damaging statements about the association.
According to KCA, this violated his contract as co-owner of the Kollam Sailors team in the Kerala Cricket League. In their response, KCA also referred to Sreesanth’s involvement in the 2013 spot-fixing case suggesting they had stood by players even during tough times including those who had faced serious controversies hinting at his past without naming him directly.
“When Sreesanth was in jail facing allegations in the infamous match-fixing scandal, KCA officials visited and supported him. Although the court quashed the criminal case, it is a fact that he has not been acquitted in the match-fixing case. In such a situation, there is no need for Sreesanth to take up the protection of other players.” the statement added.
