A Delhi court, on Saturday, gave massive relief to tainted Rajasthan Royals trio S. Sreesanth, Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan by dropping the charges against them in relation to the IPL spot-fixing case. 33 other accused in the case were also discharged. The cases against all accused have been dropped due to lack of evidence. The verdict comes just days after a Supreme Court-appointed panel suspended two high-profile IPL franchises, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for two years. It also banned the teams’ officials Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra from participating in any BCCI-related acitivities.
It may be recalled that, in May 2013, Sreesanth, Chandila and Chavan were arrested in connection with the spot-fixing case by the Delhi Police. The trio spent some time behind bars. Following the arrest, the BCCI banned Sreesanth and Chavan while the hearing in relation to Chandila’s case is still on. Speaking to the press following the positive vedict, Sreesanth, who was among the bright fast bowling prospects for India decade ago, expressed gladness at the verdict, and was also hopeful of playing for India again. He also wished the BCCI allow him to use the stadium facilities, which have been denied to him following the ban.
However, the BCCI, in a statmement released, stated that the ban on the cricketers would continue. “Any disciplinary proceeding or decision taken by the BCCI is independent to any criminal proceeding and has no bearing. The decisions of the BCCI based on its independent action, shall remain unaltered,” the board said in a statement. Following the verdict, Delhi Police informed the media that they will study the order before deciding on the further course of action.
About the former tainted trio
S. Sreesanth: The former India fast bowler was permanent fixture in the Indian team for a brief while. The 32-year-old has so far played 27 Tests for India, and has claimed 87 wickets at an average of 37.59 with three five-wicket hauls and four four-wicket hauls. He has also featured in 53 one-dayers and picked up 75 wickets at an average of 33.44 with one five-wicket haul and two four-wicket hauls. Sreesanth was also part of the India’s 2011 World Cup winning squad although he did not have a great tournament.
Ajit Chandila: The off-spinner made his debut for Haryana in 2010, but he really came into prominence in 2012 when he claimed a hat-trick in the IPL, playing for Rajasthan Royals against Pune Warriors. However, he was arrested in 2013 in connection with the spot-fixing case, bringing an abrupt end to his cricketing dreams.
Ankeet Chavan: The left-arm spinner saw both highs and lows within a span of a year. He was Mumbai’s leading wicket-taker in the 2012-13 season, as his team lifted the Ranji Trophy for the 40th time. He was signed up by Rajasthan Royals in 2011, but hasn’t stepped onto the cricket field after being banned in 2013.
-- By A Cricket Analyst