Kerala Lifts Three-Year Ban On India's World Cup Winning Cricketer

The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) on Wednesday revoked the three-year ban imposed on former India pacer S. Sreesanth, just over a year after suspending him for allegedly making “false and defamatory statements” against the state body.

The decision was taken at a special general body meeting of the association, the KCA said in a statement. According to the association, the ban was lifted after Sreesanth submitted an unconditional apology expressing regret over his remarks against the KCA.

The association said the suspension had been imposed ahead of the previous edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL).

Sreesanth had landed in controversy earlier this year after publicly criticising the KCA during the row over Sanju Samson’s omission from India’s

Champions Trophy squad. The former fast bowler, who is also associated with the Kollam Aries franchise in the KCL, had questioned the association’s role in the matter, prompting disciplinary action from the state body.

At the time, Sreesanth maintained that he had not received any formal communication regarding the ban and said he was only supporting a fellow Kerala cricketer.

What Was Sreesanth-KCA Controversy?

In February 2025, KCA issued a show cause notice to Sreesanth after the latter raised questions over the state cricket association for not picking Sanju Samson in their squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Following the former India fast bowler’s remarks, KCA cited the infamous 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal and said it has always supported players.

“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,” read a KCA statement.