“Hopefully I can get permission from BCCI to use their facilities so that I can get fit and come into the selection process”

Image courtesy of: NDTV

India pace bowler Sreesanth has revealed that he was ecstatic and relieved after being acquitted of all charges relating to the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot-foxing case in 2013.

Sreesanth, who was arrested for allegedly fulfilling promises that were made to bookmakers, has revealed that his main aim is to revive his international career.

However, this could prove to be a difficult task as he is still banned for life by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“I was just thinking when I took the World Cup catch [that clinched the 2007 World T20], I never thought, ‘Why me’,” he said. “But today honestly I thought, ‘Why me, for two years’ but maybe there is a reason. I just couldn’t control my tears, now I’m really happy, I love this.

“I want to play cricket. I know I have been in the news for movies and all that, but everybody knows that I am a cricketer first. I was just waiting, I was just making sure I don’t get bogged down in life, I want to play cricket.

“The worst thing to happen as a cricketer, living just behind [an] international stadium, and you are not allowed there. Even an Under-14 kid who respects you goes to the stadium and I was not allowed. I went through a lot of things but that’s past…I would love to go tomorrow and run there.”

Sreesanth added that he will speak to the BCCI about training at their facilities in order to begin his long road back to the national team.

“I will try to start training properly as soon as possible,” he said. “I wasn’t allowed anything…Hopefully I can get permission from BCCI to use their facilities so that I can get fit and come into the selection process.”