India Paceman S Sreesanth's life ban for alleged spot-fixing in IPL games has been reduced to seven years in an order passed by BCCI Ombudsman, Justice (Retd.) DK Jain said on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old was originally banned for lifefor his alleged involvement in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal. In March thisyear, the Supreme Court, however, had "set aside" his life ban, asking the BCCIto "reconsider" and "revisit" the length of any fresh ban. Accordingly, thecase went to the ombudsman, who reduced the ban, taking note of the 'mitigatingcircumstances' under Article 6 that deals with 'Sanctions'.
"Mr Sreesanth is already facing a ban for almosta period of six years now, which bars him from playing Cricket or participatingin any event, with which the BCCI is, directly or indirectly, associated. Evenotherwise, for Mr Sreesanth, who is now in his late thirties, his prime yearsas a Cricketer, particularly as a fast bowler may already be over.
Justice Jain wrote in his order "Bearing in mind, all these factors, I am of the view that banning Mr Sreesanth from participating in any kind of commercial Cricket or from associating with any activities of the BCCI or its affiliates, for a period of seven years with effect from 13.09.2013, i.e. the date from which, the period of ban imposed by the Disciplinary Committee had commenced, will meet the ends of justice,".
Delightedly Sreesanth reacted to this matter, " I am 36 now, and next year I will be 37. I have 87 test wickets and my aim is I want to finish my career with 100 Test wickets. I am confident that return to the Indian Test team and always wanted to play under Virat Kohli."
