{"id":248981,"date":"2015-07-30T12:46:51","date_gmt":"2015-07-30T07:16:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tehelka.com\/?p=248981"},"modified":"2015-07-30T12:46:51","modified_gmt":"2015-07-30T07:16:51","slug":"they-thought-i-was-an-easy-target-s-sreesanth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/they-thought-i-was-an-easy-target-s-sreesanth\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018They thought I was an easy target\u2019 – S Sreesanth"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Illustration:
Illustration: Dwijith CV<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nEdited Excerpts from the interview<\/span><\/strong>
\nA tough phase of your life seems to be over. How do you look back on those dark days?<\/strong>
\nThe last 26 months were very difficult for me both as a human being and a sportsperson. Now I am relieved to be free of all those corruption charges. Truth finally emerged the mightier. I thank my family, friends and fans for their overwhelming support and for standing by me during a most difficult time. I am happier because my friends and relatives stand vindicated from the shame that they have had to endure because of me. When I was booked in the ipl matchfixing case, these people bore the brunt of a lot of mockery and ridicule. Many of them living abroad texted and phoned me to say they are being constantly pestered by their friends because of the fate that had befallen me. Now they are the happiest souls thinking of me. I consider this the most successful stage in my life, even more than winning the World Cup. Everyone has to go through ups and downs, but the situation I faced was one of the worst. I thank god for finally making me free.
\nDid you expect a verdict in your favour? What was going through your mind when the judge read it out?<\/strong>
\nNothing was going through my mind. It was blank. I was praying to god. Even minutes before the verdict was announced, I was seriously thinking of quitting the game \u2014 such was the trauma and pain I have had to endure. With two-and-a-half precious years gone, it was quite discouraging for me. I could not think positively. By god\u2019s grace, everything went well and I am free. I think everything in my life happened at the right time and so did the judgment. I am thankful to the Indian judicial system.
\nDid you think you were being framed in the case?<\/strong>
\nI believe I was targeted in the case, I don\u2019t know why. There were many teams and many players. Maybe it was because some of them thought I am an easy target. The main allegation against me was that as per an agreement with the matchfixers, I gave away 13 runs in an over and wore a towel as a signal to the fixers while bowling. Anyone who knows me is well aware of my superstitions. It was not the first time I wore a towel or wristband. I have done so many times. While I was playing for the Kochi Tuskers, I wore different wristbands. I was framed in this case. I do not want to go much deeper into the past.
\nWho do you think is behind the case?<\/strong>
\nI don\u2019t know. Whoever it is, I am least concerned about them. I do not want to go after anybody.
\nHow did you cope with life in Tihar Jail?<\/strong>
\nThose were the hardest days of my life. I was arrested and escorted to the jail like any other culprit. The police treated me like a terrorist. It was really a disgraceful situation. Being a proud Indian cricketer, I felt ashamed of the situation I was in. The mental trauma I underwent is beyond words, and I only stopped crying when I got bail on the 27th day. Even after that, I lived a life almost completely locked up in my room. Even amidst the adversities, the strong urge to play for Team India kept my hopes intact. I trained rigorously during this period and kept my body and mind fit. I cannot continue without mentioning my friends from the film fraternity, whose immense help and support helped me to fight all the odds.
\nAfter being booked, many stories surfaced regarding your female acquaintances. It was during this that you got married. What was your wife\u2019s response?<\/strong>
\nDefinitely she was my unflinching supporter. We knew each other since 2007, and all these years she has supported me. Her family too stood by me. It would have been easy for them to object to our relationship and shun me once I was booked and arrested. But they tried to understand us, and supported us. My marriage took place last September and my wife\u2019s whole family flew from Jaipur to Kochi to take part in the marriage.
\nI can say quite confidently that our relationship is sincere and honest. We have become one after fighting many odds. It has resemblance to movies like 1942: A Love Story<\/em> and Earth: 1947<\/em>. I am highly indebted to her and her family for their support and care. When I went to hear the verdict on Saturday, I took a dress of my daughter with me. There is a belief in her family that if you carry the dress first worn by your girl child, that will bring positive things to your life. The belief proved right and my daughter has become my lucky mascot.
\n
\n
\"Age
Age of innocence<\/strong> Sreesanth\u2019s family rejoices at the verdict clearing him of all charges.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nEven though the BCCI\u00a0said it will not lift the ban on you, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) chairman has stated that you will be allowed to train in the only international stadium of the state, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Kochi. Is more support coming in for you after the verdict?<\/strong>
\nI am happy about the GCDA\u00a0decision. I have a long association with the stadium from which I picked up the first lessons of international cricket. The decision has come as a morale booster. Kerala people have always been my strength. What more can a player expect other than the support he receives from his home crowd?
\nKerala Cricket Association (KCA) President TC Mathew said that the association will write to the BCCI\u00a0regarding the lifting of the ban. What do you expect from the BCCI?<\/strong>
\nThe kca has always backed me, and without its support I would not have reached anywhere. The gesture shown by the association to support me is welcome and I am happier for it. I am really looking forward to a positive response from BCCI\u00a0<\/strong>also. My priority for the time being is not playing for India, but playing for the state in the coming Ranji season and for my club \u2014 Ernakulam Cricket Club. I am not in for any competition with anyone, and I do not want to blame anyone for what has happened to me. But I will fight for my right to play cricket. I am already 32, and have got very few cricketing years left. I want to play cricket in the coming days with the same verve and vigour. I pray I will get back the strength and courage to play. I request everyone not to crucify me.
\nSo when do you expect to become as fit as before?<\/strong>
\nI practised in the nets of Government High School, Edappally. It is a fabulous feeling to be back on the grounds where I started playing cricket using a tennis ball. The session went well, and I am confident of regaining my strength in a few days. I need more match practice and with the GCDA giving me permission to play in Kochi stadium, I am sure of my return to cricket soon. It is only a matter of time before I can bowl my special outswingers. I am not in a hurry and am waiting for the right thing to happen at the right time.
\nAre you disappointed with the attitude of your Indian team-mates during this period?<\/strong>
\nI am a little worried about this. Only Viru \u2018Paaji\u2019 (Virendra Sehwag) showed faith in me. I am thankful that Kerala has stood by me. I was so happy when our chief minister called to congratulate me after the verdict was out on Saturday. The state media supported me. Lots of people from various parts of the country offered their support. I am also getting huge support from my wife\u2019s state Rajasthan, especially from Jaipur.
\nWhat difficulties do you see for your return to the Indian team?<\/strong>
\nI see no difficulties. If given permission to play Ranji Trophy for Kerala this season, I am hopeful of a grand comeback to the Indian side very soon. I believe that I can still bowl fast and plenty of cricket is left in me.
\n
\n[box]<\/p>\n

Emotional State<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Home
Home crowd<\/strong> Sreesanth has a very supportive fan following in Kerala<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nFamily, friends and fans of S Sreesanth are ecstatic that the charges have been dropped, reports Adarsh Onnatt from Kerala.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n

 
\nSanthakumaran Nair, father of cricketer S Sreesanth, smiles happily watching the news flash that Sreesanth will be given permission to practise at the Jawaharlal Nehru international stadium.
\n\u201cThe stadium is only a walk away from our home, and he has been denied entry to it for the last twoand- a-half-years. With this decision, hopes of him returning to the Kerala Ranji team have come alive,\u201d he says. The spotfixing charges that brought the Indian fast bowler a life ban from the BCCI\u00a0virtually sent his parents and loved ones into hiding. Santhakumaran says that it was the toughest situation he has faced. \u201cEverywhere we went, people stared at us. We even decided not to go out or pick up our calls. We put ourselves under house arrest,\u201d he says.
\nThe family had spent the whole of Saturday when the verdict was expected in the puja room of the house, praying for Sreesanth. They became nervous when the verdict was postponed from 11 in the morning to afternoon. More anxious moments were in store as the announcement was again postponed to 4.30 pm.
\nThat\u2019s because Delhi Police had sought more time complete the probe. \u201cIf the court had taken their request at face value, I think the case would have gone on for more years,\u201d says Santhakumaran.
\nHe added that some vested interests have framed Sreesanth in the case. \u201cI regard this as the second birth for my son. I do not know who targeted him, but those were dark days for Sree and the family.\u201d
\nHe hopes the BCCI\u00a0ban will be lifted as well and his son would be able to play for India again. \u201cKerala Cricket Association (KCA) has already drafted a letter to BCCI\u00a0in this regard, which I think will bring a decision in favour of my son,\u201d he says.
\nSavitri Devi, Sreesanth\u2019s mother, is busy visiting temples these days. \u201cIt was really a painful experience to see my son not playing cricket for the last two years. He suffered greatly,\u201d she says.
\nThe cricketing fraternity of the state also was overjoyed by the decision and social media platforms were buzzing with support for Sreesanth once the verdict was out. The reception his fans accorded to him on Sunday (26 July) when he arrived at Nedumbassery airport was emotional. Fans from all walks of life along with kca members and relatives waited for hours to receive the cricketer, chanting slogans.
\nFilm actor Rajeev Pillai, a close friend of the cricketer who was with him during his arrest, says that Sreesanth will play for India again. \u201cThe verdict must be a big relief for my friend,\u201d he says.
\nMany youngsters in the Kerala Ranji Trophy team say they are happy for their \u201cbig brother\u201d, but were still reluctant to be named.
\nS Sujith, a former club cricketer who has played with Sreesanth, says that the news has come as a big relief for those who love cricket in the state.
\n\u201cHe is one of the finest cricketing talents from the state and has represented India after former Kerala pacer Tinu Yohannan. The state ,which has little representation in the Indian team, has been on a \u2018blacklist\u2019 since the case was filed. With the verdict, false notions regarding Kerala youngsters are removed.\u201d
\nHe also remembered how kind and supportive Sreesanth was during his club days. \u201cEven after entering the Indian team, he remained humble and polite to us. He was very encouraging. He did not mind spending time with those youngsters who played well and presented them with cricketing gear.s if they fared well even in a club match.\u201d
\nArun George, a sports journalist in Kochi, also remembers Sreesanth as a kind, hardworking player. \u201cHe has a fighting attitude, which is one of his positives. Though he was booked in the case, he never allowed it to affect his attitude. He has maintained his fitness all through and it will not be a problem for him. If the BCCI\u00a0lifts the ban then it is only a matter of time before he plays for the Indian side.\u201d
\n[\/box]
\nadarsh@tehelka.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

S Sreesanth looked relaxed in the drawing room of his Kochi home a day after the Delhi trial court exonerated him of Indian Premier League (IPL) matchfixing charges on 25 July. It was quite a tumultuous journey for this 32-year-old pacer from Kerala for the last 26 months.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":248989,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[56],"tags":[2516,1470,6472,466,6473,6474,6475,6476,6477,6478],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248981"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=248981"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/248981\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=248981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=248981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=248981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}