S Sreesanth was on Wednesday named in the list of Kerala probables for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. The inclusion means Sreesanth is closer than ever to making his comeback in Indian cricket since his seven-year ban for spot fixing ended in September this year. Sreesanth posted a video that showed him receiving his state cap with Kerala teammates and administrators around. "There is nothing stronger than a broken man, who has rebuilt himself," wrote Sreesanth on Twitter.
A Kerala Cricket Association official told PTI that Sanju Samson will lead the team in the tournament that begins on January 10.
Sreesanth's former India teammate Suresh Raina, who will turn out for Uttar Pradesh in the tournament, wished the pacer good luck.
"All the best brother! See you soon!" wrote Raina.
Sreesanth was set to play in the KCA President's Cup T20 but the tournament was deferred as the KCA did not get the government nod due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 37-year-old last played for India in 2011 and played in the Indian Premier League in 2013 before the spot-fixing scandal broke out.
Besides Sreesanth and Samson, Sachin Baby, Jalaj Saxena, Basil Thampi and Robin Uthappa have also been included in the list.
Kerala probables for Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament: Basil Thampi, Jalaj Saxena, Robin Uthappa, Vishnu Vinod, Salman Nizar, Nidheesh M D, Asif K M, Akshay Chandran, Abhishek Mohan SL, Vinoop S Manoharan, Mohammed Azharuddeen M, Rohan S Kunnummal, Midhun S, Vathsal Govind Sharma, Sreeroop M P, Midhun P K, Rojith KG, S Sreesanth
With PTI inputs