Former India pacer S. Sreesanth announced his retirement from all formats of the game, on social media. The 39-year-old had recently returned to the Kerala Ranji team after nine years, but suffered a toe inury ahead of the match against Gujarat.
Sreesanth played 27 Tests and 53 ODIs for India, taking 87 and 75 wickets respectively. He also took seven wickets in 10 T20 Internationals. He was part of the victorious Indian team in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 World Cup.
“Today is a difficult day for me, but it is also a day of reflection and gratitude. Playing for Ecc, Ernakulam district,varies diff. League and tournament teams, Kerala state cricket association,Bcci, Warwickshire county cricket team,Indian airlines cricket team,Bpcl , and ICC,” Sreesanth wrote on Twitter.
"For the next generation of cricketers..I have chosen to end my first class cricket career. This decision is mine alone, and although I know this will not bring me happiness, it is the right and honorable action to take at this time in my life. I ve cherished every moment.”
BCCI imposed a lifetime ban on Sreesanth in August 2013 for his alleged involvement in spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the ban was reduced to seven years in 2019, which got completed in September 2020.
Sreesanth made a comeback after being named in the 20-member Kerala squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2021.
In 2021 and 2022, he got shortlisted for the IPL auction but went unsold on both the occasions.