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Sreesanth

Sreesanth 1
Sreesanth 1 Image: Wikimedia Commons. Harrias / CC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

Shanthakumaran Nair Sreesanth (born 6 February 1983), commonly known as Sreesanth, is an Indian former cricketer and film actor who represented India in all three formats of the game. A right-arm fast-medium-pace bowler and a right-handed lower-order batsman, he was a member of the Indian sides that won the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 and the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Key facts

Full name Shanthakumaran Nair Sreesanth
Date of birth 6 February 1983
Nationality Indian
Role Right-arm fast-medium bowler; right-handed batsman (tail-ender)
Domestic team Kerala
IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals
Major honours 2007 ICC World Twenty20; 2011 Cricket World Cup
Other ventures Film actor; Bigg Boss (2018) runner-up

Background

Sreesanth came up through cricket in Kerala and went on to become the first Kerala Ranji Trophy player to represent India in Twenty20 internationals. He played first-class cricket for Kerala throughout his domestic career.

Career

International cricket

Sreesanth played Test, One Day International and Twenty20 International cricket for India. He was part of the Indian squad that won the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007, and notably took the catch that secured India's victory in the final. He was also a member of the Indian team that lifted the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Indian Premier League

In the Indian Premier League, Sreesanth represented the Rajasthan Royals.

Spot-fixing case and ban

Sreesanth was initially banned for life in connection with spot-fixing in the 2013 edition of the Indian Premier League. In August 2019, the ban was reduced to seven years.

Return and retirement

In 2020, he was selected for the Kerala cricket team and resumed his career in domestic cricket. In March 2022, Sreesanth announced his retirement from domestic cricket.

Other work

Apart from cricket, Sreesanth has worked as a film actor. In 2018, he participated in the reality television show Bigg Boss and finished as the runner-up.

Timeline

  • 1983 – Born on 6 February.
  • 2007 – Member of India's ICC World Twenty20-winning team; took the catch that sealed the final.
  • 2011 – Part of the Indian squad that won the Cricket World Cup.
  • 2013 – Banned for life following IPL spot-fixing allegations.
  • 2018 – Runner-up on the reality show Bigg Boss.
  • 2019 – Ban reduced to seven years in August.
  • 2020 – Selected for the Kerala cricket team, resuming his career.
  • 2022 – Announced retirement from domestic cricket in March.

Significance

Sreesanth is regarded as one of the most prominent fast bowlers produced by Kerala, and his selection helped raise the profile of cricket in the state. As a member of two of India's major global title-winning sides, he featured in defining moments of Indian limited-overs cricket in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

References