Claiming innocence and expressing faith in the judiciary, India Test pacer S Sreesanth, who was released on bail after being arrested for alleged involvement in the IPL spot-fixing scandal, today said he is hopeful of making a comeback to the national side
"I promise you I will never give up," Sreesanth, who is out on bail after spending 27 days in the Tihar Jail, said upon his return to his hometown.
"My dream obviously is to play cricket. All I want to do is to play cricket and get back into the team... It is a dream to play in the South African tour series. But I am not sure about it now," he told reporters soon after meeting his parents and relatives at nearby Tripunithura.
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S Sreesanth. Pic/ AFP
Despite being weary after his arrival here from Delhi Sreesanth said he was very happy to be back with his parents and said he would soon start training.
Asked if he had been 'trapped' in the case, Sreesanth said, "I have done no wrong. The arrest could be part of a conspiracy. It will soon come out. I am confident good will happen." On his experience in Tihar Jail, the pacer said he does not wish to explain anything. "All I can say is that I love this game. I have given the very best from the day one I played this game. You must trust me. I totally believe in judiciary. I am waiting for everything to be sorted out. I will surely like to explain everything," he said.
Sreesanth said he got full support of the cricketing fraternity. "Everybody was messaging. Thanks to them, thanks to Rajasthan Royals, BCCI, my family, friends, fans, media. I have no complaints against anybody. Everybody was doing their duty. I have no complaints against anyone," he said.
"Whatever has happened, has happened for a reason. I am happy to be home. Please pray for me. I promise not to give up," Sreesanth said. He declined to reply when asked to comment on Delhi Police plans to file an appeal against his bail.u00a0
Earlier, 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.
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.
Sreesanth has represented the country in 27 Tests (87 wickets), 53 ODIs (75) and 10 T20Is (seven wickets).u00a0
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