“Sreesanth not acquitted of IPL spot fixing allegation”: KCA’s jibe at pacer for “protecting” Samson

Amid the ongoing row between Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson, the KCA president has now taken a jibe at Sreesanth. The board took a jibe at the former Indian pacer over his involvement in alleged spot fixing in the IPL. The statement comes a day after Sreesanth pledged his support to Samson and offered to protect him and other players from the state.

Sreesanth slammed for getting into Samson vs KCA row

As per Malayalam Manorama, the KCA claimed that Sreesanth was unaware of Kerala cricket. In a statement, the board said that Sreesanth had not been acquitted in the IPL spot fixing allegation, adding that such a player need not offer protection to any of the state’s players. Further, the KCA stated that it had showed good-will by including Sreesanth in their Ranji Trophy side following the completion of his ban period.

“This shows he is unaware of Kerala cricket. The court dismissed criminal proceedings in the case but it remains a fact that he has not been acquitted in the spot-fixing allegation. Such a Sreesanth need not offer protection to Kerala Cricket Association’s players,” a statement from the KCA read.

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Further, the KCA said that Sreesanth had been served a notice recently – not because he spoke out in support of Samson but because he had spread false news about the board. Further, the board claimed that the BCCI had imposed a life ban on the pacer after it found the court allegation to be true but it was reduced to 7 years by the BCCI ombudsman.

“Sreesanth was made part of Kerala’s Ranji Trophy and other matches once he completed the ban period, which shows the association’s intent to protect its players,” the KCA statement said.

Sanju Samson vs KCA

The issue came to the fore earlier this year after KCA president Jayesh George had accused Samson of sending a one-line message informing his decision to not take part in the camp for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Sanju had reportedly wanted to take a break after SMAT and hence decided to skip the training camp. However, he was left out of the domestic 50-over tournament and the second leg of Ranji Trophy. The issue gained traction after eyebrows were raised over the keeper-batter’s exclusion from Champions Trophy squad, with some reports claiming that it had something to do with Samson not playing in VHT.