Picture Credit: BCCI
India speedster S Sreesanth, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket earlier this week, has in a stunning revelation disclosed that he was denied a farewell match in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2021-22. The right-arm fast bowler from Kerala marked his red-ball cricket return as he was named in the Kerala squad for the first-class cricket tournament and even featured in the state's opening match against Meghalaya but he picked up an injury prior to the second match.
While the 39-year-old said that he was looking forward to playing the match against Gujarat, the team management indicated that he would not be picked after which he went ahead with the decision to retire. He added that he had already informed the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) that the Gujarat fixture will be his last one before he hangs up his boots.
"I was looking forward to playing the match against Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy. In the team meeting ahead of the game, I had made it clear that it would be my last match for Kerala. I believe I deserved a farewell match," the member of the 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup-winning Indian team told Manorama.
Sreesanth also talked about his future plan in the same interview. He said that he was open to playing franchise leagues all over the world. At the same time, the former Rajasthan Royals cricketer will be focusing on his acting career. The Kothamangalam born bowler known for one of the most perfect seam positions and release has acted in a Kannada movie, with his Tamil film set to hit the theatres in April.
As per him, his biggest contribution to Kerala cricket has been the youngsters that he has managed to inspire to take up the art of fast bowling. He outlined that ever since he played for India, as many as 25 fast bowlers have gone on to represent Kerala in domestic cricket. In addition, Sreesanth is also planning a cricket academy at Mookambika in Karnataka.