(Image source from: Hindustantimes.com)

Kerala HC Upholds BCCI Appeal On Sreesanth:- The appeal made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against the earlier single bench verdict was upheld by a division bench of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday. The verdict that lifted the life ban on the former Indian pacer S Sreesanth in August this year.

A judicial review on the life ban imposed by the BCCI cannot be conducted by the court, ruled a division bench of Chief Justice Navniti Prasad Singh, and hence the appeal was upheld.

For the past two days, the appeal petition was heard by the court and delivered its verdict. The verdict for the time being ended his hopes of not just playing for Kerala Ranji side in its upcoming matches. But the practice sessions at any place that comes under the BCCI or any state cricket association, cannot be undertaken by him.

Addressing the media, Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) secretary Jayesh George said that ever since the ban was lifted, Sreesanth was supported by KCA.

“We had made arrangements for him to undergo a full fitness test so as to make him match fit. Now with this verdict, we will now have to respect it,” said George.

Approaching the apex court is the only available option available for Sreesanth, and the bowler is likely to go in appeal against this verdict, according to sources.

The Delhi High Court, in 2015, exonerated the now 34-year-old pacer along with two other players in the case registered by Delhi Police which invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). But, a life ban was slapped by the BCCI Disciplinary Committee headed by the present Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. He approached the Kerala HC, following this. The ban was lifted on Sreesanth on August 7.

This indeed could be be a shocking blow to former Indian pacer S Sreesanth.

SUPRAJA