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Sreesanth denies contemplating suicide; requests BCCI to allow him to play Ranji, club cricket

In an exclusive interview with Rishab Sharma of Zee Media, sidelined Test cricketer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth talks about various issues, including the recent court order, BCCI stand and KCA' support.

Sreesanth denies contemplating suicide; requests BCCI to allow him to play Ranji, club cricket

In an exclusive interview with Rishab Sharma of Zee Media, sidelined Test cricketer Shanthakumaran Sreesanth talks about various issues, including the recent court order, BCCI's stand and KCA' support.

Here are few excerpts from the interview...

Q: What you have to say about Delhi Court's decision, which has dropped all charges against you due to lack of evidence in the 2013 IPL spot-fixing case?

Sreesanth: I respect Indian judiciary. The court took the decision only after considering every single detail. It's not just my win. It's a win for all those who have trusted in me. God has been extremely kind.

Q: According to Delhi Police charge-sheet, you had links with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and alleged bookie Jiju Janardhan. What you have to say on that?

Sreesanth: Jiju and I shared room in the MRF academy. At that time he was 18. He has played cricket for Gujarat. So, when I heard the news of his arrest and the related stories, I didn't believe all that.

Q: Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila were your teammates in Rajasthan Royals, did you ever discuss the case with each other?

Sreesanth: I know Ajit (Chandila), when we play for Indian Airlines. Even if Ajit would have known something of that sort, he wouldn't have approached me. That time I was already a Test cricketer. And I guess, he said the same thing to the court.

Q: In the last two years even Kerala Cricket Association, sidelined you...

Sreesanth: Even schools here instructed kids to stop following me. And I can't be an idol. It was really hurting me. But somewhere deep inside, I knew I would come out clean. Truth has prevailed.

Q: But BCCI is not ready to revoke the life-ban they imposed on you..

Sreesanth: Only individual comments have come so far. I have send a mail to them (BCCI) and now I am waiting for the reply. At the end of the day, we all are human beings. I just request them to allow me to play Ranji and club cricket.

Q: There were reports that you were so frustrated from all this that at one point you attempted suicide.

Sreesanth: Nothing like that. It's not even right to think that way.