S Sreesanth on Wednesday (March 9) announced his retirement from all forms of India’s domestic cricket, bringing down the curtains on a chequered career. The 39-year-old played his last first-class game for Kerala against Meghalaya in the 2021-22 edition of the Ranji Trophy, finishing with 2 for 40 and 0 for 57 in the two innings.
“During my 25 years career as a cricket player, I’ve always pursued success and winning cricket games, while preparing and training with the highest standards of competition, passion and perseverance,” tweeted Sreesanth on Wednesday (March 9). “It has been an honor to represent my family, my teammates and the people of India. And everyone who loves the game. With much sadness but without regret, I say this with a heavy heart: I am retiring from the Indian domestic (first class and all formats) cricket.
“For the next generation of cricketers..I have chosen to end my first class cricket career. This decision is mine alone, and although I know this will not bring me happiness, it is the right and honorable action to take at this time in my life. I’ve cherished every moment,” stated Sreesanth on Twitter.
Sreesanth has finished his career with 213 wickets in 74 first-class games while he picked up 124 wickets in 92 appearances in List-A cricket. Sreesanth also played 65 T20 matches in which he bagged 54 wickets. Sreesanth made his India debut in October 2005 in an ODI against Sri Lanka, picking up 75 wickets in 53 appearances for India in 50-over cricket. Sreesanth also played 27 Test matches and 10 T20Is for India, bagging 87 and seven wickets respectively.
Sreesanth’s last international appearance was in 2011 in the Oval Test against England. He also represented Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, bagging 40 wickets in 44 IPL games. His last IPL match was for the Royals against Punjab on May 9, 2013, the season in which he was accused of being involved in spot-fixing which led to his arrest.
Sreesanth was handed a life ban along with Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila. But he challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, which set aside the life-ban and asked the BCCI to consider a fresh punishment. The sentence was reduced to a seven-year suspension which ended in September 2020.
Sreesanth then played for Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2021, while he made his Ranji Trophy comeback in the ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy. He even submitted his name for the IPL mega auction but found no takers.
