'He was looking to entertain audience,' Hardik Pandya's father backs him

Hardik Pandya who has landed in a soup after his controversial comments on a talk show has now been put under suspension along with KL Rahul.

However, Hardik’s father, Himanshu Pandya said that his son is innocent and “I don’t think people should read too much into his comments. It was an entertainment show and his comments were made in a light-hearted manner”.

Himanshu Pandya also added saying that, “He was only looking to entertain the audience. So, it (comments) should not be viewed very seriously or negatively. He is an innocent boy with a very fun- loving nature”.

The duo is to be sent back home immediately from the ongoing One-Day International series in Australia after the Committee of Administrators (COA) issued fresh show-cause notice on the recommendation of the BCCI's legal team for comments made on a talk show, Koffee with Karan.

The streaming platform Hotstar has since taken down the video and Pandya issued an apology but that has done little to limit the damage.

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— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) January 9, 2019

CoA member Diana Edulji had initially suggested a two-match suspension for the duo but the matter was referred to the legal cell after Vinod Rai agreed with her.

“It is imperative that players be put under suspension till the further course of action is decided for this misconduct as was done in case of (BCCI) CEO (Rahul Johri) when he was sent on leave on sexual harassment matter,” Edulji’s response read to the legal opinion according to PTI.