Sreesanth, Chavan released from jail

Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan, two of the three Rajasthan Royals players who were imprisoned in Tihar jail for alleged involvement in spot-fixing, were released on Tuesday evening. Their team-mate, Ajit Chandila, who was arrested for the same charge, has not applied for bail.

"I am very happy. I should thank my lawyer. It was a testing phase for me, the last 27 days," Sreesanth said after his release. "I believe in the Indian judiciary and I am sure my innocence will be proved.

"I don't want to forget this (episode) but I think it taught me a lot of things. All I can say is that I played the game in true spirit. I always gave my heart and soul for the game. I am very happy and relieved. I must thank God first for sure and then my fans, family, friends, lawyer and all well wishers who stood by me during this testing time.

"I have not done anything wrong and my innocence will be proved," he told NDTV. "I can't wait, after six surgeries on my left and right toes, all I wanted to do was play good cricket, which I did in the IPL. I just want to play for India again, asap. I will, I have full faith in myself and the judiciary."

Both Sreesanth and Chavan, who had to surrender their passports, were originally remanded to judicial custody until June 18 after the Delhi police invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) against them. But after a hearing at a Delhi court, the judge ruled that there was not enough evidence against them to keep them in prison and granted bail. Seventeen others who were arrested along with the cricketers were also granted bail.

Sreesanth, Chavan and Chandila were arrested on May 16, along with eleven bookies, and were charged under the Indian Penal Code section 420 and 120B, which deal with fraud, cheating and criminal conspiracy.

BCCI's ACSU chief Ravi Sawani, who was investigating the charges levied against the three players, had submitted his report to the board on Monday.