I played the game in true spirit, says Sreesanth

Out on bail after 27 days in Tihar jail, tainted India pacer Shantakumaran Sreesanth on Tuesday said he "does not want to forget this" episode as it taught him a lot of things.

"I don't want to forget this (episode), but I think it taught me a lot of things," the disgraced Kerala paceman, who was arrested by Delhi Police's special cell on May 16, on charges of spot-fixing in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League, said in New Delhi.

A visibly tired and emotionally exhausted Sreesanth maintained that he always played the game in right spirit.

"All I can say is that I played the game in true spirit. I always gave my heart and soul for the game," he said, during a media conference that turned chaotic.

The maverick pacer, sporting an unkempt beard and dark circles around his eyes due to lack of sleep, expressed full faith in the judiciary, saying he hopes to come out clean from the episode that rocked Indian cricket recently.

"All I say is that I totally believe in the judiciary and in the Indian justice system," he said.

Asked what he will do if proven guilty, he replied,"I will surely abide by the law of the land."

After being freed from prison, Sreesanth thanked all and sundry for their support during this tough phase of his life.

"I am very happy and relieved. God has been kind to me. 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," he said.

Rajasthan Royals's players Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan were released on bail on Tuesday evening. However, their team-mate Ajit Chandila hasn't applied for bail yet.

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

The BCCI's anti-corruption and security unit chief Ravi Sawani, who is investigating the charges levelled against the three players, had submitted his report to the board on Monday. Now the trio will depose before the commission.

Photograph: Anindito Mukherjee/Reuters