For all the accolades that the Indian Premier League has received over the years, it has had a fair share of controversies too. The most damaging controversy was that of the spot-fixing which took place in IPL 2013. Three of the Rajasthan Royals players were caught giving signals to bookies and were performing as they were told. BCCI banned all three players.

The biggest name amongst the three players was that of the Kerala fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth. Other two were the spinners Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandela. After claiming innocence the matter went to the court. Sreesanth had appealed in the Kerala high court and in August last year, the Kerala State High Court lifted the ban on account of not having enough proof against the Indian seamer.

Despite the decision, BCCI has been adamant about not allowing any cricket to the tainted trio. Sreesanth’s plea to allow him to play in county cricket was also ignored. BCCI challenged the same in the Kerala HC. After the decision, the 35-year old pacer also vowed to make a comeback and play in the 2019 Cricket World Cup. The case is currently being handled by the Delhi Police.

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On Tuesday, the Supreme Court asked the Delhi High Court to decide on the appeal surrounding the discharge of the cricketers in the shambolic incident five years ago. A jury headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra mentioned that they understood the anxiety of the trio to return to cricket.

The Judge also remarked that they will wish to wait for the High Court’s decision on the appeal of the Delhi Police’s challenge of the court order to release the cricketers of the charges. In 2015, the 36 accused in the spot-fixing scandal were given a clean chit by a Patiala House Court. However, the BCCI stood their ground and refused to change their decision.