# S. Sreesanth
**S. Sreesanth** (എസ്. ശ്രീശാന്ത്; full name Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, born 1983, Kothamangalam, Kerala) is a former Indian cricketer who played as a right-arm fast-medium swing bowler for India between 2005 and 2011, winning the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth) • [2](https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/33461224/sreesanth-retires-indian-domestic-cricket) His career was interrupted by a life ban from the BCCI after the 2013 IPL spot-fixing case, later reduced to seven years, and he retired from domestic cricket in March 2022.[2](https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/33461224/sreesanth-retires-indian-domestic-cricket) In 2025 the Kerala Cricket Association banned him for three years over public remarks against the association; the ban was lifted on 1 July 2026 after he apologized.[3](https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/cricket/2026/07/01/kca-lifts-3-year-ban-on-sreesanth-following-unconditional-apology.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1983, Kothamangalam, Kerala; right-arm fast-medium bowler, right-handed batter[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth) |
| Test record | 27 matches (2006–2011), 87 wickets at 37.59, best innings 5/40, best match 8/99, three five-wicket hauls[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth) |
| ODI record | 53 matches (2005–2011), 75 wickets at 33.44, best 6/55[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth) |
| T20I record | 10 matches (2006–2008), 7 wickets, best 2/12[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth) |
| World Cups | Member of India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup winning squads; took the title-winning catch in the 2007 final[2](https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/33461224/sreesanth-retires-indian-domestic-cricket) • [4](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/a-turning-point-for-indian-cricket-and-another-chapter-in-a-brilliant-rivalry) |
| 2013 ban | Life ban by BCCI on 13 September 2013 under the Anti-Corruption Code; set aside by the Supreme Court in March 2019 and reduced to seven years, ending September 2020[5](https://documents.bcci.tv/documents/cms/documents/5d5ba8efea218-Ombudsman%20Order-%20Reference%203-Sreesanth%20ed.pdf) |
| Retirement | Announced retirement from Indian domestic cricket in March 2022, finishing with 169 international wickets in 90 matches[2](https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/33461224/sreesanth-retires-indian-domestic-cricket) |
| KCA ban | Three-year ban in April 2025 for remarks against the Kerala Cricket Association; revoked on 1 July 2026 after an unconditional apology[3](https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/cricket/2026/07/01/kca-lifts-3-year-ban-on-sreesanth-following-unconditional-apology.html) |
## International career
Sreesanth first gained attention with a hat-trick against [Himachal Pradesh](https://www.edgepedia.org/himachal-pradesh) in a [Ranji Trophy](https://www.edgepedia.org/ranji-trophy) game, the first by a Kerala bowler, and was selected for India B in the Challenger Trophy in October 2005, where he dismissed [Sachin Tendulkar](https://www.edgepedia.org/sachin-tendulkar) and emerged as the leading wicket-taker.[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth) His first One Day International came against Sri Lanka at Nagpur on 25 October 2005, and he received his Test cap against England in March 2006.[6](https://document.kerala.gov.in/Porteddata/extensionpdf/documents/10180/4d521d99-e524-454b-9fc1-8e257e029a7d.pdf) • [1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth)
**Breakthrough in South Africa.** In the opening Test of India's 2006–07 tour at the Wanderers, Sreesanth took 5 for 40 as India bowled South Africa out for 83, securing India's first ever Test win on South African soil; his match figures of 8 for 99 earned the Man-of-the-Match award.[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth) • [2](https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/33461224/sreesanth-retires-indian-domestic-cricket) During the same series he hit Andre Nel for six and celebrated with a dance in front of the bowler, an episode that brought him wide notoriety.[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth)
**World Cup winner twice.** In the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, Sreesanth took six wickets in the tournament and caught [Misbah-ul-Haq](https://www.edgepedia.org/misbah-ul-haq) in the final against Pakistan on 24 September 2007, the dismissal that sealed India's five-run win.[2](https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/33461224/sreesanth-retires-indian-domestic-cricket) • [4](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/a-turning-point-for-indian-cricket-and-another-chapter-in-a-brilliant-rivalry) He was selected for the 2011 ODI World Cup when injury ruled out Praveen Kumar, played two games including the final at the [Wankhede Stadium](https://www.edgepedia.org/wankhede-stadium) on 2 April 2011, and finished his career with medals from both tournaments.[7](https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/players/741-sreesanth-playerprofile) • [8](https://www.bcci.tv/news/article/match-report-ind-v-sl-2011-cwc-final) • [2](https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/33461224/sreesanth-retires-indian-domestic-cricket)
His last Test was against England at the Oval on 18 August 2011, and persistent toe injuries and surgeries kept him out of the side thereafter.[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth)
## Bowling style
Sreesanth bowled right-arm fast-medium with a pronounced upright seam and an effective outswinger, and he could move the ball both ways in helpful conditions.[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth) He was also able to reverse swing the older ball on dry Indian pitches, a skill few Indian bowlers of his generation mastered.[9](https://www.studocu.com/in/document/patna-law-college/corporate-law/sreesanth-the-fiery-spirit-of-indian-cricket-a-comprehensive-essay/159993135) [Allan Donald](https://www.edgepedia.org/allan-donald) praised his skill while warning that he needed to correct his on-field behavior to succeed at international level.[1](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth)
## The 2013 spot-fixing case and bans
On 9 May 2013, playing for [Rajasthan Royals](https://www.edgepedia.org/rajasthan-royals) against Kings XI Punjab at Mohali, Sreesanth was named in a [Delhi Police](https://www.edgepedia.org/delhi-police) case on allegations of spot fixing, and he was arrested on 16 May 2013 along with two other IPL players.[5](https://documents.bcci.tv/documents/cms/documents/5d5ba8efea218-Ombudsman%20Order-%20Reference%203-Sreesanth%20ed.pdf) The BCCI suspended him on 17 May 2013, and its Disciplinary Committee banned him for life by order dated 13 September 2013 under the Anti-Corruption Code, finding him guilty of corruption, betting, and failure to disclose approaches.[5](https://documents.bcci.tv/documents/cms/documents/5d5ba8efea218-Ombudsman%20Order-%20Reference%203-Sreesanth%20ed.pdf)
The legal outcome diverged from the disciplinary one. On 25 July 2015 a Delhi trial court discharged Sreesanth and 35 others, finding no prima facie case under MCOCA; the BCCI's appeal against the discharge remained pending.[5](https://documents.bcci.tv/documents/cms/documents/5d5ba8efea218-Ombudsman%20Order-%20Reference%203-Sreesanth%20ed.pdf) • [10](https://www.livelaw.in/ipl-spot-fixing-case-charges-dropped-against-36-accused-including-sreesanth-delhi-police-to-challenge-order-in-hc) In August 2017 a single judge of the [Kerala High Court](https://www.edgepedia.org/kerala-high-court) quashed the life ban, but a Division Bench restored it in October 2017.[5](https://documents.bcci.tv/documents/cms/documents/5d5ba8efea218-Ombudsman%20Order-%20Reference%203-Sreesanth%20ed.pdf) On 15 March 2019 the Supreme Court set aside the life ban, holding that the Disciplinary Committee had not considered the aggravating and mitigating factors in the Code, and directed a reconsideration of the quantum of punishment.[5](https://documents.bcci.tv/documents/cms/documents/5d5ba8efea218-Ombudsman%20Order-%20Reference%203-Sreesanth%20ed.pdf) BCCI ombudsman Justice D.K. Jain, a former judge, then reduced the sanction to a seven-year ban running from 13 September 2013, which ended in September 2020.[5](https://documents.bcci.tv/documents/cms/documents/5d5ba8efea218-Ombudsman%20Order-%20Reference%203-Sreesanth%20ed.pdf)
## Return and retirement
Once eligible, Sreesanth returned in January 2021 as part of the Kerala T20 squad and played most of Kerala's white-ball games that season.[2](https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/33461224/sreesanth-retires-indian-domestic-cricket) On 9 March 2022 he announced his retirement from Indian domestic cricket, one first-class game into the 2021–22 season, closing a career of 90 international matches and 169 international wickets.[2](https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/33461224/sreesanth-retires-indian-domestic-cricket)
## The 2025 KCA ban and its lifting
In February 2025 Sreesanth publicly criticized the Kerala Cricket Association over its handling of [Sanju Samson](https://www.edgepedia.org/sanju-samson)'s omission from Kerala's Vijay Hazare Trophy squad and India's 2025 Champions Trophy squad.[11](https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/kca-lifts-three-year-ban-on-s-sreesanth-after-apology-over-controversial-remarks-11782900304573.html) The KCA suspended him in April 2025 from all its cricket-related activities for statements made through visual and social media that it said brought disrepute to the organization; show cause notices were also issued to the Kollam Aries franchise, of which Sreesanth is a co-owner in the Kerala Cricket League.[3](https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/cricket/2026/07/01/kca-lifts-3-year-ban-on-sreesanth-following-unconditional-apology.html) • [12](https://keralakaumudi.com/en/sports/general/kca-lifts-three-year-ban-imposed-on-former-cricketer-s-sreesanth-1773724) His plea against the ban in the Munsif Court at [Thiruvananthapuram](https://www.edgepedia.org/thiruvananthapuram) was dismissed.[12](https://keralakaumudi.com/en/sports/general/kca-lifts-three-year-ban-imposed-on-former-cricketer-s-sreesanth-1773724)
At a Special General Body meeting on 1 July 2026, the KCA accepted Sreesanth's unconditional apology and unanimously revoked the three-year ban, warning that strict disciplinary action would follow any repetition; he was cleared to continue as co-owner of the Aries Kollam Sailors for Kerala Cricket League Season 3.[13](https://www.manoramaonline.com/sports/cricket/2026/07/01/s-sreesanth-s-cricket-ban-lifted-by-kca.html) • [3](https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/cricket/2026/07/01/kca-lifts-3-year-ban-on-sreesanth-following-unconditional-apology.html)
## References
1. [S Sreesanth Profile, Cricbuzz](https://www.cricbuzz.com/profiles/463/s-sreesanth)
2. [Sreesanth retires from Indian domestic cricket, ESPNcricinfo (9 March 2022)](https://www.espn.in/cricket/story/_/id/33461224/sreesanth-retires-indian-domestic-cricket)
3. [KCA lifts 3-year ban on Sreesanth following 'unconditional apology', Onmanorama (1 July 2026)](https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/cricket/2026/07/01/kca-lifts-3-year-ban-on-sreesanth-following-unconditional-apology.html)
4. [A turning point for Indian cricket and another chapter in a brilliant rivalry, ICC](https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/a-turning-point-for-indian-cricket-and-another-chapter-in-a-brilliant-rivalry)
5. [Ombudsman Order, Reference 3: Sreesanth, BCCI (Justice D.K. Jain, 7 August 2019)](https://documents.bcci.tv/documents/cms/documents/5d5ba8efea218-Ombudsman%20Order-%20Reference%203-Sreesanth%20ed.pdf)
6. [Sreesanth, Kerala Government document](https://document.kerala.gov.in/Porteddata/extensionpdf/documents/10180/4d521d99-e524-454b-9fc1-8e257e029a7d.pdf)
7. [Sreesanth Profile, NDTV Sports](https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/players/741-sreesanth-playerprofile)
8. [Match Report: Ind v SL, 2011 CWC Final, BCCI.tv](https://www.bcci.tv/news/article/match-report-ind-v-sl-2011-cwc-final)
9. [SREESANTH: The Fiery Spirit of Indian Cricket, Studocu essay](https://www.studocu.com/in/document/patna-law-college/corporate-law/sreesanth-the-fiery-spirit-of-indian-cricket-a-comprehensive-essay/159993135)
10. [IPL Spot Fixing Case: Charges dropped against 36 accused including Sreesanth, LiveLaw](https://www.livelaw.in/ipl-spot-fixing-case-charges-dropped-against-36-accused-including-sreesanth-delhi-police-to-challenge-order-in-hc)
11. [KCA lifts three-year ban on S Sreesanth after apology over controversial remarks, Mint](https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/kca-lifts-three-year-ban-on-s-sreesanth-after-apology-over-controversial-remarks-11782900304573.html)
12. [KCA lifts three-year ban imposed on former cricketer S Sreesanth, Kerala Kaumudi](https://keralakaumudi.com/en/sports/general/kca-lifts-three-year-ban-imposed-on-former-cricketer-s-sreesanth-1773724)
13. [KCA lifts three-year ban on Sreesanth after apology, Manorama Online (1 July 2026)](https://www.manoramaonline.com/sports/cricket/2026/07/01/s-sreesanth-s-cricket-ban-lifted-by-kca.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Cricket › Cricket people and teams › People › Men's international cricketers › Indian men's cricketers › Indian cricketers of the 2000s and 2010s*
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