Former Indian fast bowler, S Sreesanth will be considered for playing XI for the Kerala team provided he proves fitness after his BCCI ban ends in September, state team coach Tinu Yohannan said on Thursday. Sreesanth, 37, was banned for life by the BCCI in August 2013 for his alleged involvement in the IPL spot-fixing scandal earlier that year. However, BCCI ombudsman D K Jain last year reduced the sentence to seven years.

Talking about the same, Yohannan said, “Sreesanth will be considered for this year’s Ranji Trophy. We are looking forward to having Sreesanth playing for Kerala again. Everyone in Kerala is also looking forward to that. His (Sreesanth’s) ban will be lifted in September. The good thing is that there is time for him to get ready. He is working hard on his game and his fitness. Sree (Sreesanth) is always in the scheme of things….”

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The domestic season, expected to commence in August, could be in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yohannan also said as there was a lot of uncertainty about the game’s resumption, a training camp would have to wait.

Yohannan explained, “As of now there is a lot of uncertainty about when cricket will resume. So, planning for camp, practice, etc will have to wait.”

The team coach expressed that Sreesanth is in touch with him constantly and has been working hard on his game.

Yohannan elaborated, “… Sreesanth has been in constant touch with me. He has been working hard on his bowling and fitness. However, he has not played competitive cricket for some seven years now, we have to evaluate fitness and skills. But we will be very happy to welcome him back into the Kerala side.”

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In his career, the pacer has played 27 Tests and 53 ODIs for India, taking 87 and 75 wickets respectively. He has also taken seven wickets in 10 T20 Internationals.