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Former India fast bowler S Sreesanth, who supported MS Dhoni for the post of India coach, has revealed about one of the worst periods of his life. He revealed how the support of his wife Bhuvaneshwari helped him survive the toughest phase of his life which changed everything for him and his family.
Sreesanth was a part of India’s historic 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup winning teams. He played 27 Tests, 53 ODIs and 10 T20 matches for India. But in 2013, there was a shocking turn in the life of this fast bowler. Sreesanth was arrested along with Rajasthan Royals players Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan for their alleged involvement in the IPL spot-fixing case.
How did Sreesanth first meet Bhuvaneshwari Devi?
Recalling those painful days, S Sreesanth shared that the support of Bhuvneshwari and his family helped him during that phase. The former cricketer revealed that they first met during an event during the India-Pakistan match in 2007.
Over the years, despite their different backgrounds and busy lives, Bhuvneshwari and Sreesanth’s friendship grew stronger. With time, the relationship between the two grew stronger, but their relationship suffered a setback in 2013 when he was accused of match fixing.
NDTV quoted Sreesanth as saying, “The first meeting was in the school, where I had gone as a guest; the second was on the ground the very next day; the third was with uncle after three years at the pool; the fourth was in Indore; the fifth was when we got engaged, when I was out on bail.”
She is the main reason I don’t commit suicide: Sreesanth
The former cricketer spent almost a month in Tihar jail after spending several days in police custody. He admitted that those days were extremely difficult and he wanted to kill himself, but it was his future wife who saved him and married him amidst the challenges.
He further added, “She was one of the main reasons I didn’t kill myself when I was there. I promised her in 2010 that if we won the 2011 World Cup, I would marry her. I met her when she was in 10th grade in 2007, and we were in touch till 2013. She’s the main reason I got bail.”
Bhuvaneshwari and her family stood like a rock behind Sreesanth
The former Indian bowler shared that the support of Bhuvneshwari and his family gave him the strength to keep fighting. After the IPL Slapgate controversy rekindled, Sreesanth also revealed that he had helped during the legal process.
Sreesanth further said, “The 12 days I spent in the Delhi Police cell and the 27 days I spent in Tihar Jail made me realize that the problems we face in normal life are nothing. I used to hear that years go by for a trial. That incident made me stronger. At that time, I was thinking about my mother and father, about my niece and nephew. I did not let them go to school then. For a whole month Till then, the entire country’s attention was only on me.”
After clearing his name, Sreesanth retired from Indian domestic cricket in 2022, but continued to play in other tournaments including Legends League Cricket and Big Cricket League.
