In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing feud between Kerala’s cricketing establishment and its most prominent players, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has suspended former Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth from all cricketing activities under its jurisdiction for three years. The decision, taken during an emergency general body meeting in Kochi on April 30, comes as the latest chapter in a bitter dispute that has exposed deep fissures in Kerala’s cricketing ecosystem.

The Spark That Ignited the Fire

The controversy traces its origins to two separate but interconnected incidents involving Kerala’s star cricketer Sanju Samson. First, Samson’s unexpected omission from Kerala’s Vijay Hazare Trophy squad in February 2025 after he skipped the preparatory camp. Then, his subsequent exclusion from India’s Champions Trophy squad last month, which many observers attributed to his absence from domestic cricket.

Sreesanth, never one to mince words, waded into the controversy during a heated panel discussion on a Malayalam news channel. The fiery pacer, who co-owns the Kollam Aeries franchise in the Kerala Cricket League, accused the KCA of mismanagement and alleged that the association’s internal politics were harming players’ careers. His comments, which included personal attacks on KCA officials, were deemed “defamatory and detrimental to the institution’s reputation.”

KCA’s Iron Fist Response

The association’s disciplinary committee responded swiftly, issuing show-cause notices not just to Sreesanth but also to three franchise teams in the Kerala Cricket League – Kollam Aeries, Alappuzha Team Lead, and Alappuzha Ripples. While the franchises managed to placate the KCA with what the association termed “satisfactory responses,” Sreesanth’s refusal to back down proved costly.

“The General Body unanimously decided that Mr. Sreesanth’s repeated public statements crossed all boundaries of propriety,” read the KCA’s official statement. “His baseless allegations against the association’s office bearers and attempts to malign Kerala cricket’s reputation cannot be tolerated.”

In a move that surprised many, the KCA also announced legal proceedings against Samson’s father, Samson Vishwanath, for what it called “a calculated campaign to tarnish the association’s image using his son’s name.” This marks an unprecedented escalation in the conflict, pitting the state’s cricket administration against the family of its most celebrated contemporary player.

Sreesanth Fires Back

Contacted for his reaction, the 42-year-old World Cup winner initially played coy, telling reporters, “I haven’t received any official communication. Let them send me the order, then we’ll see.” However, his social media activity told a different story.

In a scathing Instagram story that has since gone viral, Sreesanth posted: “Some associations deserve Oscars – not for cricket administration but for drama, ego trips, and digging up history. Maybe they should open an acting school instead of pretending to develop cricket.”

Sources close to the former cricketer reveal that he is consulting legal experts to challenge the ban. “This is clearly vindictive action because Sreesanth dared to speak truth to power,” said a friend who requested anonymity. “He was only standing up for a fellow player.”

The Bigger Picture: A State Cricket Body at War With Its Stars

The current imbroglio highlights the deteriorating relationship between Kerala’s cricket administrators and its players. Samson’s father had earlier given explosive interviews alleging that the KCA was deliberately undermining his son’s career. These claims gained traction when Samson, despite being India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in T20Is, was overlooked for the Champions Trophy.

Cricket historians point out that this isn’t the first time the KCA has clashed with its marquee players. In 2017, the association had a public falling out with then-captain Sachin Baby over team selection issues. More recently, emerging pacer Basil Thampi publicly criticized the lack of infrastructure support.

What This Means for Kerala Cricket

The immediate fallout is potentially catastrophic:

• Sreesanth’s ban sidelines one of Kerala cricket’s most vocal advocates

• The legal battle with Samson’s family could create an irreparable rift

• Young players may now think twice before criticizing the establishment

Former KCA secretary T.C. Mathew expressed concern: “Cricket administration requires balancing discipline with player welfare. This heavy-handed approach might silence critics but could alienate the very talent we need to nurture.”

The Road Ahead

As the dust settles on this explosive development, several questions remain unanswered:

• Will Samson, currently leading Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025, respond to the KCA’s actions against his father?

• Can Sreesanth successfully challenge his ban in court?

• Most importantly, how will this very public feud affect Kerala’s prospects in upcoming domestic tournaments?

One thing is certain – the battle lines have been drawn, and the repercussions will reverberate through Kerala cricket for years to come. For now, the cricket-mad state finds its favorite sport mired in controversy yet again, with no clear resolution in sight.

With inputs from KCA officials, player representatives, and cricket historians
Reporting from Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mumbai