S Sreesanth Breaks Silence on KCA Ban, Hails Sanju Samson as ‘God’s Own Son’
NEW DELHI: In a dramatic turn of events, former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth has finally addressed the three-year suspension imposed on him by the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). The ban, which has stirred significant controversy in Indian cricket circles, stems from Sreesanth’s alleged defamatory remarks against the KCA during a heated television panel discussion. At the heart of the debate is the exclusion of Kerala’s star wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson from the Indian squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Sreesanth, known for his fiery persona on and off the field, expressed his bewilderment and frustration in a candid video message posted on his official Instagram account. “By now, you must have heard that the Kerala Cricket Association has banned me for three years—or at least that’s what they’re claiming. I honestly don’t know what I’ve done wrong. My only intention was to stand up for God’s own country and God’s own son, supporting Sanju with all my heart,” he said passionately.
The 41-year-old former pacer, who played a pivotal role in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup triumph and was part of the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning squad, is currently a co-owner of the Kollam Aeries team in the Kerala Cricket League (KCL). His comments, made during a discussion on a popular Malayalam TV channel in February, were in staunch defense of Sanju Samson, whose consistent performances in domestic and IPL cricket have made him a fan favorite, despite repeated snubs from national selectors.
However, the KCA deemed Sreesanth’s remarks as misleading and damaging to the association’s reputation. Following a special General Body meeting in Kochi on April 30, the decision to suspend him was finalized. Alongside Sreesanth, show-cause notices were issued to the management of Kollam Aeries, Alappuzha Team Lead, and Alappuzha Ripples. While the franchises managed to provide satisfactory explanations and escape penalties, the KCA issued a stern warning about exercising greater caution in future appointments to team management roles.
Clarifying their stance, the KCA emphasized that the suspension was not merely for supporting Samson but for making public statements that misrepresented the association’s policies and decisions. In a further twist, the KCA announced intentions to seek compensation from Sanju Samson’s father, Samson Vishwanath, and two other individuals for what they termed as baseless allegations against the body. This move has added another layer of tension to an already volatile situation.
As the dust settles on this controversy, Sreesanth’s unwavering support for Sanju Samson—whom he affectionately calls ‘God’s Own Son’ in homage to Kerala’s nickname ‘God’s Own Country’—has resonated with fans across the state. Samson, the Rajasthan Royals captain, has amassed over 4,000 runs in the IPL and holds a staggering domestic record, yet his international career remains frustratingly inconsistent, with only 16 ODIs and 25 T20Is since his debut in 2015.
This incident raises deeper questions about the relationship between players, former cricketers, and administrative bodies in Indian cricket. Is the KCA’s action against Sreesanth an overreach, or a necessary step to maintain discipline and decorum? As debates rage on, one thing is clear—Sreesanth’s bold stand has reignited the conversation around Sanju Samson’s talent and the need for transparency in selection processes. Only time will tell if this controversy marks a turning point for Kerala cricket or deepens existing divides.