After being embroiled in controversies and being suspended for their sexist comments on a celebrity talk show, Committee of Administrators (CoA) has lifted the suspension on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
After being embroiled in controversies and being suspended for their sexist comments on a celebrity talk show, Committee of Administrators (CoA) has lifted the suspension on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
A press release from the Board of Control for Cricket in India said: "The above matter and decision has been taken with the concurrence of the Learned Amicus Curiae, Mr PS 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."
Here's all you need to know about the controversy and its fallout:
1. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul appear on celebrity talk show
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Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul appeared on a celebrity chat show. The show featured Pandya and Rahul talking about their relationships, crushes, favourite movies, actors and actresses. (Image: YouTube)
2. When asked if Virat better is than Sachin
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The duo enraged some fans when they chose Virat Kohli over Sachin Tendulkar upon being asked whether who the better batsman among the two is.
Several Sachin fans took to social media to slam the duo for their choice. (Image: PTI)
3. Hardik Pandya's sexist comments and social media outrage
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Hardik Pandya triggered the audience with comments about women. He boasted about hooking up with multiple women and even spoke about how open he is with his parents.
Pandya revealed that he even informed his parents that he lost his virginity by telling them, "Aaj mai kar ke aaya."
The cricketer’s remarks were criticised as sexist, crass and cringeworthy. The allrounder was slammed on Twitter for “objectifying women” and being “unapologetically misogynistic”. (Image: YouTube)
4. Hardik Pandya issues public apology
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As the public outrage increased, Pandya took to Twitter to apologise for his comments.
He said he got "carried away by the nature" of the show.
"After reflecting on my comments on Koffee with Karan, I would like to apologise to everyone concerned who I may have hurt in any way. Honestly, I got a bit carried away with the nature of the show. In no way did I mean to disrespect or hurt anyone's sentiments. Respect," Pandya posted on Twitter. (Image: Instagram)
5. BCCI issues notice to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul
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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI), however, was not satisfied with the apology and along with the Committee of Administrators (CoA) sent show cause notices to both the players.
Pandya's comments have raised questions as to should Indian cricketers appear on "such non-cricket shows" after this. "It will be considered whether players should even be allowed to appear on such shows which have got nothing to do with cricket," a BCCI source told PTI. (Image: PTI)
6. CoA chief Vinod Rai recommends 2-match ban for Pandya, Rahul
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CoA chief Vinod Rai was not happy with the apology and recommended a two-ODI ban for both Pandya and KL Rahul.
"I am not convinced with Hardik's explanation and I have recommended a two-match ban for both players. However the final decision will be taken once Diana gives her go ahead," Rai told PTI. Fellow CoA member Diana Edulji has already referred the matter to BCCI's legal cell. (Image: PTI)
7. Virat Kohli says Pandya, Rahul’s comments not supported by team
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India captain Virat Kohli condemned the comments made by the cricketers. He called them "inappropriate" and not supported by their teammates.
"From the Indian cricket team point of view, any inappropriate comments that are made in that scenario are something that we definitely don't support," Kohli told reporters on Friday ahead of the first one-dayer against Australia. (Image: File Photo)
8. Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul suspended from Australia ODI
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The cricketers were suspended pending an inquiry which kept them out of the ODI series against Australia.
A source in the BCCI had said that the two will be issued fresh show-cause notices before a formal enquiry begins. (Image: Twitter)
9. Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul suspended from all forms of cricket
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KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya were suspended pending an inquiry and the length of their suspensions was not known.
"The duo is now called upon to provide an explanation as to why they should not be proceeded against for misconduct and indiscipline under Rule 41 of the BCCI Constitution within a period of 7 (seven) days," the BCCI said in a statement. (Image: Twitter)
10. Diana Edulji objects to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri doing preliminary inquiry
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CoA member Diana Edulji had objected to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri doing the preliminary inquiry as there are sexual allegations levied on him.
Edulji in a letter wrote, “In view of the grave sexual allegations levied on the CEO, it wouldn’t be justified if he conducts the inquiry. Its bad optics and the CoA will be criticized for it”. (Image: File Photo)
11. Vinod Rai and Diana Edulji have divided views
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The two members of the Committee of Administrators (CoA) were again divided on their decision. CoA chief Vinod Rai has proposed a quick inquiry but Diana Edulji feared it will be construed as a “cover-up” job. (Image: File Photo)
12. Speculations of Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul missing World Cup, IPL 2019
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The playing career of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul would be determined depending on the days the inquiry took.
If the inquiry took too long or they get long bans then Pandya and Rahul are in danger of missing out on IPL 2019 and even 2019 World Cup.
“Nobody is bigger than the game. Nobody is bigger than the institution.,” she was quoted as saying by The Mumbai Mirror. (Image: Twitter)
13. Old video of Virat Kohli calling a girl 'ugly' resurfaces
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Amongst the controversy, an old video of Indian skipper Virat Kohli resurfaced on the internet. The video got many people talking about the comments he made.
In the video, Kohli was asked about the quickest date he has ever had to which the captain replied, “I actually went on a blind date which ended in about five minutes. I saw the girl and I ran away.”
When asked why he ran away, Kohli very proudly replied saying, “She was ugly”. (Image: Twitter)
14. BCCI members call for SGM
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Despite the apologies tendered by the duo, BCCI demanded a Special General Meeting to appoint an ombudsman for carrying out an inquiry.
The call came after an evident difference of opinion in the Committee of Administrators (CoA) with regards to the action to be taken in the inquiry against suspended India players Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
While CoA chief Vinod Rai has instructed the CEO to conduct an inquiry, Diana Edulji wants an inquiry done by CoA and the BCCI office-bearers. (Image: File Photo)
15. Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul give statements to BCCI CEO
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The inquiry into Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul's comments on women gave their statements to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri.
It is learnt that both players deposed via telephone after having tendered unconditional apologies in reply to the fresh show cause notices issued by the BCCI. This is just a preliminary probe as the decision over the main inquiry is yet to be taken. (Image: AFP/Twitter)
16. Hardik Pandya not stepped out since returning from Australia
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Hardik Pandya’s father, Himanshu, gave an update on his son’s current situation. He revealed that Pandya has not stepped out of the house since returning from Australia and he did not even celebrate Makar Sankranti. (Image: AFP)
17. After Pandya- Rahul controversy, CoA mulls behavioural counselling for team
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The Committee of Administrators (CoA) is mulling a behavioural counselling programme for the Indian team in the wake of the furore over KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya's sexist comments. The BCCI has suspended the two cricketers and their fate will be decided by an ombudsman, which will be appointed by the Supreme Court. (Image: File Photo)
18. Karan Johar apologises for Hardik Pandya-K L Rahul's episode
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Breaking his silence on the controversy following comments by cricketers Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul on his chat show, filmmaker Karan Johar says he apologises for what happened and admits the conversation "may have crossed boundaries". (Image: File Photo)
19. BCCI president urges CoA to let cricketers play while inquiry is on
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BCCI acting President C K Khanna Saturday urged the Committee of Administrators (CoA) to lift the suspension on Hardik Pandya and K L Rahul for their much-criticised sexist remarks and refused to convene a Special General Meeting on the matter. (Image: Youtube)
20. BCCI official questions acting president CK Khanna
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Cricketing members questioned Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) acting president CK Khanna on whether he was serious about getting early disposal suspension issue of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. (Image: File Photo)
21. CoA lifts suspension on Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, probe pending
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The Committee of Administrators (CoA) has lifted the suspension on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
A press release from the Board of Control for Cricket in India said: "The above matter and decision has been taken with the concurrence of the Learned Amicus Curiae, Mr PS 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." (Image: File Photo)
