Ankeet Chavan seeks MCA's help to revoke life ban

Ankeet Chavan has requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to have his life ban revoked and be allowed to play. In a letter to the MCA, the former Mumbai spinner has told the association that his quantum of punishment has been reduced to seven years, like S Sreesanth's, and he has an order from the Ombudsman of the MCA.

"I have pleadingly requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to help and support me like it has always done in the past and take my application forward. The Ombudsman, in his order a month back (May 3), said that my punishment be reduced to seven years which ended in September 2020," Chavan told Cricbuzz, confirming receiving the Ombudsman order. The MCA has posted his request in its agenda for the Apex Council meeting, to be held on June 11.

Chavan, along with Sreesanth and Ajit Chandila, all representing Rajasthan Royals, were banned for life by the BCCI for their involvement in the 2013 Spot Fixing Scandal in the league. After a Supreme Court order, Sreesanth's ban was eventually revoked and punishment reduced to seven years. He has started playing for Kerala and even had enrolled himself in the IPL auction.

Chavan said in the hearing, held virtually in April, the BCCI was present. "I have written to the BCCI to have my ban revoked and attached the Ombudsman order too. But I have not heard from the BCCI and hence I have requested the MCA to intervene," Chavan said.

When contacted, an MCA official said the association is not sure how it can help if the BCCI does not intervene. "We will discuss the matter but we will have to consult the legal department to see how we can help. The action was taken by the BCCI," the MCA official said.

Chavan (35) had played 18 first class games, 20 List A games and 13 IPL games before he was banned in 2013.