Supreme Court asks BCCI to alter quantum of punishment after lifting Sreesanth’s life ban

It came as a sigh of relief for pace bowler Sreesanth as the Supreme Court has decided to lift the life ban that was imposed on him by the board because of his involvement in the spot-fixing controversy in 2013 edition of the IPL while playing for Rajasthan Royals. However, the apex court has not found the speedster to be innocent in the case. The court has asked the board to alter the quantum of punishment charged on the cricketer.

"In the context of facts and manner in which these things have happened, this court should consider that it (life ban on Sreesanth by BCCI) is unfair. He has suffered for the last five-six years. People want him to play cricket. He was extremely loyal to BCCI," Sreesanth's advocate Salman Khurshid told the bench, reported LiveLaw.in.

"The team (Rajasthan Royals) and its owners were banned for two years only. It is completely unfair that this (life ban) has happened with him (Sreesanth)." 

Sreesanth last played for the Indian cricket team in 2011 against England while the last competitive game was during the 2013 IPL when he represented the Rajasthan Royals against Kings XI Punjab in May. Two more cricketers, playing for the same team, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan were also handed over life bans by the board while the team was suspended for two years.