Sreesanth's life-time ban reduced to 7 years, here's when he will be eligible to return to cricket

In a big relief to Indian cricketer S Sreesanth, BCCI Ombudsman DK Jain has said that his ban for alleged spot-fixing will end next August.

BCCI Ombudsman DK Jain observed on Tuesday that the pacer is well past his prime having already served six years of ban. BCCI had banned Sreesanth for life in August 2013 for indulging in alleged spot-fixing in the India Premier League (IPL).

The Supreme Court set aside the BCCI disciplinary committee's order this year.

According to ANI, Jain passed an order on August 7 saying "ends of justice" would be met by making it a seven-year suspension and letting him play next year.

"For Mr Sreesanth, who is now in his late thirties, his prime years as a Cricketer, particularly as a fast bowler may already be over," Jain reasoned in his order.

"I am of the view that banning Mr Sreesanth from participating in any kind of commercial Cricket or from associating with any activities of the BCCI or its affiliates, for a period of seven years with effect from 13.09.2013, i.e. the date from which, the period of ban imposed by the Disciplinary Committee had commenced, will meet the ends of justice," Jain said in the order.

There were allegations that Rs 10 lakh was paid to Sreesanth for conceding 14 runs in his second over in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match between the Rajasthan Royals and the Kings XI Punjab at Mohali in May 2013.

Sreesanth has all along maintained that the allegations are false and he is innocent.

The Kerala crickter played 27 Tests, 53 ODIs and 10 T20 Internationals for India, claiming 169 wickets in all. He last played for India back in 2011. He is part of one of the most memorable moments of Indian cricket as he took the match-winning catch in the World T20 final in 2007.