CoA lifts Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul bans: The indefinite suspension on the Indian cricketers has now been lifted.
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In what has come as a reprieve for India opening batsman Lokesh Rahul and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, bans after their infamous appearance on renowned talk show ‘Koffee With Karan’ have now been lifted with ‘immediate effect’.
The matter had unfortunately entered into an indefinite decision-making process after the appointment of the ombudsman was to be made by the Supreme Court. While this process will continue, the players have been made eligible to play for India or for their respective states in domestic tournaments.
Step in the right direction. Indefinite suspension, after they had missed out on the ODI series v Australia, was an overreaction and grossly unfair considering the nature of the transgression https://t.co/fYdcOJXKdj
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 24, 2019
Of course. Business as usual then… https://t.co/i2F4e4ktX9
— Bibhash Chatterjee (@bibhash1990) January 24, 2019
While there was a lot said about the duo after their misogynist comments on the talk show, people also hurled support at them after they were banned from playing all forms of cricket.
The replacement for the duo have already been sent to New Zealand. However, there still an outside chance for one of them to board the plane to New Zealand.
ALSO READ: Karan Johar opens up on Rahul-Pandya controversy for the first time.
To manage his workload, India captain Virat Kohli will travel back home after the third ODI against New Zealand. The selectors haven’t named a replacement for the Indian captain. Having said that, with this duo becoming available now, there would be no surprise if one of them gets picked.
chalo… thanks to PS Narasimha… some sense prevails… bans lifted on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul #pandya #rahul
— Meha Bhardwaj (@Bhardwajmeha) January 24, 2019
Breaking news: BCCI lifts interim suspension on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. Decision, taken in consultation with new BCCI amicus PS Narsimha @Wahcricketlive
— G. S. Vivek (@GSV1980) January 24, 2019
Pandya, who is expected to play a vital role for India in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, hasn’t played international cricket since Asia Cup in September last year. The team management would be eager to give him enough match-practice ahead of the world event.
While India are yet to play four ODIs and three T20Is in New Zealand, they will play five ODIs and a couple of T20Is against Australia at home next month. Making Pandya play the T20Is in New Zealand, the home series and the Indian Premier League should be considerable amount of practice for him.
