S. Sreesanth

Biography:

Shanthakumaran Nair Sreesanth is a former Indian cricketer and film actor known for his versatile skills in all forms of the game. His cricket career spanned from being a right-arm fast-medium-pace bowler to a right-handed tail-ender batsman. Sreesanth represented Kerala in first-class cricket and played for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Notably, he holds the distinction of being the first Kerala Ranji player to participate in Twenty20 cricket for India. Although initially banned for life due to spot-fixing in the 2013 IPL, his suspension was later reduced to seven years in August 2019. In 2018, he gained public attention as the runner-up in the reality show Bigg Boss. Making a comeback in 2020, Sreesanth joined the Kerala cricket team, marking a significant return to national cricket.

However, in March 2022, he officially announced his retirement from domestic cricket. His international achievements include being part of the Indian team that secured victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Sreesanth’s early life revolves around his family, born to Santhakumaran Nair and Savithri Devi on 6 February 1983. He has an elder brother, Dipu Santhan, who owns a music company in Kochi, and two elder sisters.

His sister Divya is married to Madhu Balakrishnan, a renowned South Indian playback singer. Sreesanth’s personal life took a new turn on 12 December 2013, when he married Bhuvneshwari Kumari from Jaipur’s Shekhawat family at Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple in Kerala. In his formative years, Sreesanth initially pursued leg-spin bowling, modeling his technique after India’s Test wicket-taker Anil Kumble.

However, a penchant for bowling yorkers prompted a shift to fast bowling, encouraged by his elder brother. Following training at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, he made his first-class debut in the 2002–03 season for Kerala, showcasing his talent with 22 wickets in seven matches in the Ranji Trophy. Sreesanth’s journey faced hurdles, including a hamstring injury that temporarily sidelined him and sparked unfounded rumors of astrological intervention.

Nevertheless, he rebounded and etched his name in the record books with a hat-trick against Himachal Pradesh in November 2004. Sreesanth’s consistent performances earned him a spot in the Indian team, representing India B in the Challenger Trophy in October 2005. His impressive showing in the limited-overs tournament led to his selection for the home ODI series against Sri Lanka. Despite early challenges, Sreesanth proved his mettle, taking crucial wickets.

His success continued with a noteworthy home series against England in April 2006, securing a BCCI contract in the C-grade. The journey was not without setbacks, as Sreesanth faced exclusion from the ICC Champions Trophy squad due to his economy rate. Despite challenges, he made unexpected comebacks and became a part of the 2011 Cricket World Cup squad, filling in for an injured player.

Sreesanth’s career also delved into the world of entertainment, with appearances in reality shows like Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena in 2008 and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa in 2014. In 2018, Sreesanth added another dimension to his public persona by participating in Bigg Boss Season 12, where he emerged as the runner-up. His time in the house was marked by controversies, intense arguments, and emotional moments.

Despite the ups and downs, Sreesanth’s genuine nature and straightforward attitude garnered him immense support and praise from fans, celebrities, and fellow contestants. The show provided a platform for him to reflect on his cricket career, including the infamous slapgate and spot-fixing incidents.