BCCI shoots down Sreesanth's plans of playing for another country

What's the story?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has responded to former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth's claims that he would be open to the idea of representing another country by reminding the 34-year-old that the ban imposed by it has worldwide implications.

Sreesanth had claimed that he still had six years of cricket left in him and that he would be looking at options elsewhere after the Kerala High Court had reinstated the ban imposed by the BCCI for his alleged role in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal.

However, BCCI acting president CK Khanna responded within hours of Sreesanth's statement, shooting down the pacer's idea.

"Any player banned by his parent body cannot play for any other country, ICC rules are very clear," Khanna said. "Rules, regulations and the legal position is quite clear."

The background

Sreesanth had been indicted along with then Rajasthan Royals teammates Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal and following his arrest by the Delhi Police, the BCCI had imposed a lifetime ban on the trio.

A single-judge bench of the Kerala High Court had overturned the ban on September 18 only for the BCCI to have it restored following an appeal.

The heart of the matter

Devastated by the rapid turnaround in fortunes, Sreesanth was visibly distraught at the decision and had vowed to carry on his fight against the BCCI, alleging that he was being unfairly targetted.

Claiming the Kerala High Court's decision as the "worst decision ever", Sreesanth had said that he would not be giving up his dream of once again making an appearance on the cricket field.

Citing the technicality that the BCCI is a private body, Sreesanth had earlier today claimed that he would look at options outside of India to fulfil his aim.

However, the acting president of the BCCI made it clear that being an official member of the ICC, the BCCI's ban had worldwide effect.

What's next?

With a strong response just hours after Sreesanth laid out his plans in a desperate attempt to return to playing cricket, the BCCI has made its stand clear on its tiff with Sreesanth.

It will be interesting to see how the former Indian pacer responds.

Author's take

Always ready for a tussle, Sreesanth has been engaged in a bitter fight with the BCCI over what he claims as unfair treatment.

Whatever the truth of the case be, Sreesanth has very few options ahead of him after the latest setback and any efforts to resume playing cricket with the BCCI ban still in effect is most certainly going to hit a roadblock.

The BCCI has made its stand clear this time around as well but as usual, we can expect Sreesanth to hit back in his usual style.