KCA Suspends Sreesanth Over "False and Defamatory" Remarks Against Association

Thiruvanantpuram (The Uttam Hindu): The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has suspended former India pacer S Sreesanth from all cricket-related activities for making "false and defamatory statements" against the association. The decision was taken at a special KCA general body meeting in Kochi on April 30.

Sreesanth's Comments Spark Controversy

Sreesanth, co-owner of the Aries Kollam Sailors franchise in the Kerala Cricket League, had criticized the KCA for excluding Sanju Samson from India's Champions Trophy squad. The KCA had issued a show-cause notice to Sreesanth for his remarks, which it deemed a violation of his contractual terms as a franchise co-owner. The KCA has also announced that it will seek legal action for compensation from Sanju's father, Samson Viswanath, Reji Lukose, and a news channel anchor for making "baseless allegations" against the association in Sanju's name.

Sreesanth's Previous Run-in with KCA

The controversy dates back to February 2025, when Sreesanth was issued a show-cause notice for slamming the KCA over its decision to snub Sanju from the Vijay Hazare Trophy squad. Sreesanth had questioned the KCA's role in promoting local players, saying that the association had not produced an international cricketer since Sanju. The KCA responded by listing out names of players it claims to have produced, including Sajana Sajeevan, Minnumani, and Asha Shobana. The association also brought up Sreesanth's past involvement in a spot-fixing scandal, saying that it had supported him during that time.

Sreesanth has maintained that his comments were justified, questioning why the KCA overlooks local players and instead brings in players from other states. He has expressed support for Sanju, saying that the wicketkeeper-batter is the only Malayali cricketer at the international level.