KOCHI: S. Sreesanth gives an indication that he is a changed man as he prepares for a second innings, in life. After being discharged from the 2013 IPL spot-fixing case, the fast bowler sat down with the media on Tuesday and did not back off from questions related to the saga.
Excerpts
On conspiracy and time spent in jail: I don’t believe there was any conspiracy. I was arrested on the basis of some doubts. Those 27 days (in jail) were the most difficult period. I don’t know who all the people behind it are, but I am not looking for revenge. I had six surgeries on both toes and I was on a wheelchair for three months. Post-surgery, I played four Ranji Trophy matches for Kerala and I wasn’t sure if I would play the IPL that season. I took along Kerala cricketers including Sanju Samson and Sachin Baby to Rajasthan Royals and Sanju got selected. After all this when I was in Tihar Jail I naturally thought ‘Why me?’ I was afraid and wanted to run away. I was depressed. I wanted to end my life. My brother-in-law told me to turn to music. The first four days in Tihar; the two world cup winner that I am, had sleepless nights in a dormitory with murderers and rapists (breaks down). I am trying to forget all these.
On meeting BCCI officials: I am waiting for an appointment with BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur and will meet him at the earliest, if possible tomorrow (Wednesday). At this juncture, I don’t want to say that I need to play for India. I would love to start with my club Ernakulam CC, then first-class and inter-zonal to gain match fitness. I am 32 and being a fast bowler, I probably have 4-5 years remain. So, I hope the Board lifts the ban soon so that I can play again.
I will wait patiently. My life started because of BCCI and even now it hangs on its decision.
On Neeraj Kumar (former Delhi police commissioner, now BCCI anti-corruption unit chief): He’s also a human being, so I hope he’ll understand my situation. I know the BCCI is not about individuals. I have no intention to challenge anyone nor do I hold grudge against anyone.
On playing Test cricket again: I wish to play Test cricket again. I have 87 wickets from 27 matches and I hope to make it 100 in the next three matches. I believe Kapil Dev holds the record for the fastest 100 wickets by an Indian pace bowler. It would be a great achievement to emulate Kapil.
If not? I will never approach the court. The BCCI has paid me well to live a good life. But if I can’t pay cricket anymore life doesn’t end, I have few 2-3 offers from films (laughs).
On Jiju Janardhan and friendship: I haven’t spoken to him. I heard he’s doing some job in the Gulf. One-and-a-half years ago, a person called me to ask if it was ok for me that they employed Jiju and I had no objection. I will never say that Jiju is behind all this. During interrogation they asked me about Jiju. They were trying to connect things not through him, but through the friends of his friends. I won’t say his friendship has cost me. I forgive him, but I won’t forget. I see him as a cricketer. He was my captain at Ernakulam CC. He was with me when I was regaining fitness in Bangalore. He batted for me in the nets. When I was 19, he was my roommate at MRF. He has captained Parthiv Patel in Gujarat. I don’t believe he betrayed me. But he is not above my family. So, now when I look back I think it was better to avoid certain friendships.
On his aggression: Our new captain (Kohli) is also aggressive. My first coach Dennis Lillee was aggressive and my idol Allan Donald was also aggressive. So what is wrong in being aggressive?
