The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has issued a show-cause notice to former Indian cricketer S. Sreesanth, accusing him of making “false and defamatory” statements about the state association on Kerala media outlet Onmanorama. This whole saga is around Sanju Samson.
Well, the controversy erupted after S. Sreesanth publicly questioned the decision of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) to overlook Sanju Samson from Kerala’s white-ball squad. The former Indian pacer has not just supported Samson but also targeted the KCA by claiming the decision to exclude Sanju Samson from the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 was unfair.
Kerala Cricket Association fires back at Sreesanth for ‘False’ claims in Sanju Samson saga
Notably, it is being said that Samson was not picked in India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 because he did not take part in the domestic 50-over tournament. Earlier, KCA claimed that the star wicketkeeper refused to play in the tournament before changing his mind at the last minute.
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Well, KCA has now strongly reacted to Sreesanth’s statements, claiming they were false and damaging to the association’s reputation. The KCA also made it clear that the show-cause notice was not due to Sreesanth’s support for Sanju Samson but because his remarks violated his contractual obligations as the co-owner of the Kollam Sailors franchise in the Kerala Cricket League.
In a sharp retort, KCA mentioned Sreesanth’s involvement in a spot-fixing scandal, saying the association had always stood by players in difficult times, even when they were in jail, targeting the former World Cup winner. This would only further raise the tension between Sreesanth and the KCA.
When Sreesanth was in jail, we supported him: KCA
The KCA said in an official statement, “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 further said, “It was only because of KCA’s protective approach that Sreesanth was given opportunities in matches, including the Ranji Trophy, after completing his sentence. It is worth investigating whether other associations have taken such a favorable approach towards players involved in match-fixing.”
Notably, Sreesanth was arrested by Delhi Police on charges of spot-fixing during the IPL in 2013. He was one of three Rajasthan Royals players banned from the game for his involvement in the scandal. However, the Patiala House court dropped all charges against Sreesanth in July 2015.
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Sreesanth questions KCA’s ability to produce star cricketers
Later, in March 2019, the Supreme Court lifted Sreesanth’s lifetime ban and allowed the former pacer to return to the game, and he went on to represent Kerala again in the domestic circuit.
Additionally, Sreesanth had also questioned the KCA about which international players they had produced after Sanju Samson. In response, the Kerala Cricket Association criticized Sreesanth for being unaware of Kerala’s cricketing achievements.
The state body named several players from Kerala who have made significant strides, including Sajna Sajeevan, Minnumani, Asha Shobana, Joshitha V.J. (part of the Under-19 World Cup-winning team), Najla CMC (in the Under-19 team), and Mohammed Inan (in the Under-19 Asia Cup team).
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