Will Sreesanth be able to finish with 100 Test wickets?
What's the story
Discarded Indian pacer S Sreesanth breathed a sigh of relief after his life-ban was reduced to seven years by the BCCI on Tuesday. While his current ban is scheduled to get over by September 2020, he looks to be back to playing competitive cricket as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Sreesanth has expressed his desire to claim 100 Test wickets. Here's what he said.
100 Test wickets
Sreesanth expresses desire to finish with 100 Test wickets
Following the reduction of his ban, Sreesanth expressed delight and thanked his well-wishers for their prayers, which paid off. He also said that he wants to claim 13 more Test wickets to reach the tally of 100 by playing under Virat Kohli. "I am confident that I can return to the Indian Test team and always wanted to play under Virat Kohli," Sreesanth said.
The ban
Sreesanth's life-ban reduced to seven years
Sreesanth was handed a life ban by the BCCI following his alleged involvement in spot-fixing during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 while playing for Rajasthan Royals (RR). However, BCCI Ombudsman Justice (retired) DK Jain on Tuesday reduced the ban to seven years. The decision comes five months after the Supreme Court had asked BCCI to reconsider the length of his ban.
Quote
Justice Jain believes Sreesanth's prime years are nearly over
"...for Mr Sreesanth, who is now in his late thirties, his prime years as a Cricketer, particularly as a fast bowler may already be over," Justice Jain was quoted as saying his new order for Sreesanth's revised ban.
Next venture
Sreesanth looks to resume playing competitive cricket, could play IPL
While it is not sure as to how Sreesanth looks to get back to the cricketing frame again, it is likely that he would start by playing competitive club cricket. Following the club stint, he could play BCCI's domestic competitions to be eligible for Test selection. Meanwhile, he is most likely to eye a couple of IPL stints, but that won't happen before 2021.
Author's take
Sreesanth faces an uphill task ahead
Sreesanth's desire to finish with 100 Test wickets is certainly possible, as he currently has 87 scalps. However, the realistic chance of him making a comeback to the Test squad looks quite impossible, considering the settled bowling line-up the current team has. Moreover, Sreesanth will have to work hard with the ball to make himself eligible to be considered for the Indian Test side.