Former India pace bowler S Sreesanth has finally shared his views on the 2013 spot-fixing scandal in the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which he was banned along with a couple of other players from Rajasthan Royals (RR) as well.
While sharing his version of the story, Sreesanth told Sportskeeda in an exclusive interview, “This is the first interview in which I am sharing or explaining it. It was supposed to be one over and 14-plus runs. I bowled four balls for five runs. No no-ball, no wide, and not a single slower ball in an IPL game. I was bowling at 130-plus after 12 surgeries on my toe.”
S Sreesanth has also revealed he was trying to return to the Indian team following his recovery from injuries as well.
“I had played the Irani Trophy and was looking to play the South African series so that we can win in September 2013. We were going early, and it moves better in September. My goal was to play that series. A person like that, why would I do it, that too for 10 lakhs?, I am not talking big but I used to have bills of around 2 lakh when I partied around,” he shared.
He also has said that he used to do most of his personal payments by card and not by cash as well. He revealed that the prayers of his well-wishers have helped him go through that phase.
“I used to pay with my card not cash. If I had so much of cash, I would have been spraying it out. In fact, I used to take care of even a normal person. In my life, I have only helped and given belief. I have helped a lot of people, and those prayers helped me get out of this. All I would ask is – two balls, five runs, two balls to go. How would I give away all that I had invested? No way,” the Kerala cricketer again shared.
“Maut ke barabar”- Sreesanth on his experience while charged for match fixing
I was trying to get back in the national team. A person like that, Why would I do it for 10 lakhs? – @sreesanth36 #ipl2021 #IPLSpotFixing pic.twitter.com/JFUNCRSU6D
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) September 28, 2021
However, after his ban was lifted, Sreesanth returned to competitive cricket earlier this year during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy where he had played five matches for Kerala, picking up four wickets which came at a strike rate of 27 and an economy rate of 9.88. Sreesanth ended his international career with 27 Tests, 53 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, having a total of 169 scalps in his name as well.
He also shared how he went into ‘depression mode’ during that phase of his life.
“Very bad to accuse anybody. If people call me and ask me in 2013-14 when I came out in 2015, 13 other names were there in the Supreme Court. All I can say is, me, my family and friends circle, my dear ones went through the toughest period.. closer to that was death. Maut ke Barabar that experience. If that happened with me and my friends, I can’t take the names of the 13 accused. Unless and until it’s proven, I shall not take a single name,” Sreesanth concluded.
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