World Cup Winner faced racism in Indian Cricket, was called ‘Madrasi’

S Sreesanth, who won the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2007 T20 World Cup for India made an important revelation that he was subject to racism during his playing days. The former Indian pacer, who was born in Kerala, disclosed that he has been referred to as a Madrasi all of his childhood. The term "Madrasi" refers to people who are native to or live in Southern India, primarily Tamil Nadu. During an ODI match in Nagpur against Sri Lanka in October 2005, Sreesanth made his debut for India. The bowler represented India in all three formats, amassing 169 wickets. 

Sreesanth on ‘The Ranveer Show’ said, “All my life I have been…… I can say it. See anything below Bombay was more like Madrasi. I have been hearing it from the time I was playing Under-13 to Under-14 to Under-16 to Under-19. Then we had the Kochi (Tuskers Kerala) team and it was like playing for the country again.”

Sreesanth revealed on the same program that he has not received his paycheck from the now-defunct Kochi Tuskers Kerala team. The former Indian bowler participated in the 2011 IPL as a player. Before the following edition, the squad was dissolved. He said, “They have to pay a lot of money. They still haven’t. You should get Muralitharan sir (Muttiah Muralitharan), you should get Mahela (Mahela Jayawardene) and in your show they will only tell you. McCullum was also there, and Jadeja.”

Sreesanth stated that BCCI had already paid the Kochi franchise but the KTK team has not paid the players. Sreesanth jokingly said that till the time his kid would have got married the ace pacer would receive the money. He added, “Please guys, BCCI has literally paid you, I think. Please pay us…. anyway, whenever you’re paying, remember the 18% interest every year. I feel by the time my kid gets married; we will definitely receive the money (he laughs). The team was supposed to be three years, and the team was terminated in the first year. I think no one has spoken about it. Even now when the players meet, they talk about it. Not a single international cricket is talking for it.”

Kochi Tuskers Kerala featured in the Indian Premier League in the year 2011. They did not perform well and ended in the 8th position, winning only 6 matches. Sreesanth was one of the key bowlers of the Kochi team and took 7 wickets in 9 matches at an economy of 6.47.