Was taken to terrorist ward from IPL after-match party, faced 16-17 hours of torture every day: Sreesanth

Almost 2 months before his 7-year-ban ends, former India pacer Sreesanth has revealed that his life changed in a fraction of seconds in 2013. The 37-year-old said that he was having a good time in an IPL after-match party and moments after he found himself sitting in a terrorist ward.

Sreesanth stated that he used to get interrogated for 16 to 17 hours everyday and this continued for 12 straights days. During the time Sreesanth would think and worry about his family. He breathed a sigh a relief when his elder brother during one of his visits told that the family was doing fine.

“If you look at my life, it was a fraction of second, it was the after-match party, I was taken to the terrorist ward, I felt I was being made ‘Bakra’. For 12 days, it was a torture for me for 16-17 hours per day. I was always thinking about my house and family at that time. After a few days, my elder brother came to visit me and then I got to know that my family was fine. My family members motivated me and were really behind me,” Sreesanth told CricTracker.

Sreesanth, who last represented India in 2011, said that even going to the temples was difficult for his family. The Kerala-born also recalled the incident when he was banned from performing at Sharjah Stadium. Notable, due to his alleged involvement in 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal, Sreesanth was also banned from enetering any stadium.

“It was very tough for my family, we didn’t even go to temples. I wasn’t even allowed to perform at Sharjah stadium as a film star. There was a lot of struggle,” former Rajasthan Royals speedster said.

Despite of all the hardship Sreesanth has maintained his cool and urge to move forward in life. The two-time World Cup winner has expressed his desire to play in IPL and for India. Sreesanth on many occasions has mentioned about his utmost respect for legendary Sachin Tendulkar. He told that even Tendulkar had to start his innings from Zero every time. He added that winning every battle is important.

“On a serious note, winning every battle is important, everyone is fighting their own battle. Even if Sachin Tendulkar scores century in a game, he will bat from zero in next game. Think for 10 seconds before you take any decision, you should know that ‘this too shall pass.”

Sreesanth, whose ban ends on September 13, also talked about late actor Sushant Singh Rajput who died as a result of suicide recently. Sreesanth said he was informed by his wife about the demise of the actor but initially he took it as a joke. The pacer soon realised that the news was true as he heard different voice mails and saw pictures of Sushant being circulated on the social media.

Sreesanth expressed sadness that a picture of that level of sensitivity was shared online. The Kothamangalam-born confessed that he also felt lucky that nobody clicked his picture showing him going or coming out of the jail. Sreesanth said luckily his kids will not see such pictures.

“I was training at that time, my wife messaged me, I didn’t check it at that time. Later, when I was in my car, I got a voice mail from my wife and I thought it was ‘mazak (joke)’. When I heard different voice mails, I got to know it was true, many were circulating his pictures on social media.

Luckily, no one clicked me going to jail or coming out of jail. Luckily, my kids will not see such pictures. I felt sad on that day (Sushant’s demise day),” Sreesanth said.