Kerala Cricket Association Lifts S Sreesanth's Three-Year Ban After Unconditional Apology
The Kerala Cricket Association has revoked S Sreesanth's three-year suspension after he apologised for his remarks, clearing his return to the Kerala Cricket League.
July 02, 2026: The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has lifted the three-year ban imposed on former India fast bowler S Sreesanth after he submitted an unconditional apology for his remarks against the state cricket body. The decision was taken during the KCA's general body meeting on Wednesday and was announced through an official statement.
The ban was imposed in 2025 after Sreesanth allegedly made defamatory comments against the KCA on television and social media. While revoking the suspension, the association also issued a strong warning, stating that strict disciplinary action would be taken if he made similar remarks in the future.
Why did the KCA ban Sreesanth?
The controversy began ahead of the 2025 Kerala Cricket League (KCL), when Sreesanth publicly criticised the KCA for omitting Sanju Samson from Kerala's Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. The wicketkeeper-batter's exclusion eventually affected his chances of making India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, where India went on to lift the title.
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) lifted the three-year ban it had imposed on former international cricketer S. Sreesanth last year for allegedly making defamatory remarks against the organisation.
— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) July 1, 2026
The decision was taken based on the unconditional apology submitted by the… pic.twitter.com/61aCeg4YLx
Sreesanth strongly backed Samson during a televised discussion, saying he only wanted to support "one of our own." However, the KCA accused the former pacer of making false and defamatory statements against the association and subsequently imposed a three-year ban.
కేరళ క్రికెట్ అసోసియేషన్ #KCA పై అపవాదు కలిగించే వ్యాఖ్యలు చేశారన్న ఆరోపణతో మాజీ అంతర్జాతీయ క్రికెటర్ ఎస్. శ్రీశాంత్పై గత ఏడాది విధించిన మూడేళ్ల నిషేధాన్ని ఆ సంస్థ ఎత్తివేసింది.#Srishant #UANow pic.twitter.com/ddt9oaXNkY
— UttarandhraNow (@UttarandhraNow) July 1, 2026
Sreesanth Can Return to Kerala Cricket League
After the ban, Sreesanth challenged the KCA's decision in a munsiff court, but his plea was dismissed. He later submitted a formal unconditional apology, expressing regret for his comments. The apology paved the way for the KCA to reconsider its decision and eventually revoke the suspension.
With the ban now lifted, Sreesanth is free to continue as the co-owner of Aries Kollam Sailors in the upcoming third season of the Kerala Cricket League. The decision also brings an end to one of Kerala cricket's most talked-about disputes, allowing the former India fast bowler to resume his association with the state's franchise league.
