The Committee of Administrators (CoA) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has provisionally lifted the suspensions of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. The Board informed in a media release that with immediate effect, the suspensions have been lifted. However, the inquiry into the matter will continue once the Supreme Court appoints an Ombudsman.
“The above matter and decision has been taken with the concurrence of the Learned Amicus Curiae, Mr. P.S. Narasimha. In view of the above, the suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 is immediately lifted pending appointment and adjudication of the allegations by the BCCI Ombudsman,” said BCCI in a media release.
The duo had appeared on the talk show Koffee with Karan that was aired earlier this month. But the comments made by the cricketers on the show were heavily criticized. They were deemed to be inappropriate and sexist. BCCI came into the act and sent them home midway through the Australian series. Subsequently, they were left out of the New Zealand tour as well.
The SC had adjourned the hearing to February 5. Now the duo will be available for selection. There are chances that Hardik Pandya might join the Indian team in New Zealand for the ODI series. The Men in Blue have been trying to accommodate an all-rounder as Vijay Shankar was given a chance in the first ODI in Napier.
Karan Johar spoke on the matter
The host of the show, as well as Bollywood Director Karan Johar, had expressed his disappointment over the treatment that Pandya and Rahul got. He took responsibility for the matter as it was his show that the cricketers attended.
“I have to say that I feel very responsible because it was my show, it was my platform. I invited them as guests and so the ramifications and repercussion of the show are my responsibility,” said Karan Johar as quoted by ET Now.
He added, “I have had so many so many sleepless nights, wondering about how I can undo this damage, who is gonna listen to me. It’s now gone into a zone which is beyond my control.”
Also Read: “Let us not overreact please”: Rahul Dravid on Rahul-Pandya controversy
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