Kochi, June 12 (IANS) Former India pacer S. Sreesanth, arrested for his role in alleged spot fixing in the IPL and released from jail on Tuesday, arrived here to a tumultuous welcome from hundreds of fans who were waiting at the Kochi airport since early Wednesday.
A battery of journalists, press photographers and TV cameramen were seen jostling for space as soon as Sreesanth, who was released from Delhi’s Tihar Jail Tuesday night, arrived in the airport’s lobby around 9.15 a.m.
“I am confident that I will come clean. I am delighted that I am back here. I have done no wrong. I am overwhelmed by the support I got here. I will now spend time with my parents,” Sreesanth said.
Responding to a query about his future plans, he said: “I will wait with patience for things to clear up. I have always given the very best whenever I played. I thank all those who stood in my hour of crisis. I don’t want to blame anyone. I have full faith in the Indian judiciary.”
Expressing his wish to return to the Edapally cricket ground from where he started his cricketing career, Sreesanth said: “Yes, I will train today (Wednesday), and if it rains then I will go to a gymnasium.”
Speaking to a TV channel at the airport, the cricketer said he would not like even his enemies to be sent to jail while admitting that life was pretty tough in the jail. He said jail officials would some time wake him up in the middle of the night and ask him to keep standing in his cell.
The police personnel deployed at the airport had a tough time in controlling the crowds, and with great difficulty they managed to put the cricketer into his car. He drove away to his sister’s house in the city.
Delhi Police arrested Sreesanth and his Rajasthan Royals colleagues Ankeet Chavan, Ajit Chandila on May 16 for their alleged role in the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot fixing scam.
However, Sreesanth’s parents came out in his support saying they were confident that their son had done no wrong and was made a scapegoat.
Sreesanth’s credibility took the worst ever beating after Delhi Police linked him with the underworld and charged the cricketer under the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
However, a Delhi court Monday ruled that there was no prima facie evidence to try the cricketer under the act and granted him bail. Delhi Police have been contemplating an appeal against the bail order.
Sreesanth has represented the country in 27 Tests (87 wickets), 53 ODIs (75) and 10 T20Is (seven wickets).
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