Rahul and Pandya ruled out of Sydney ODI

Rahul and Pandya ruled out of Sydney ODI: The Indian opening batsman and all-rounder has been ruled out of the first ODI.

India opening batsman Lokesh Rahul and all-rounder Hardik Pandya have been ruled out of the first ODI of India’s tour of Australia at Sydney to be played tomorrow.

Pandya’s misogynist comments on renowned TV show ‘Koffee With Karan’ has seen him receiving severe criticism in the last few days. The 25-year old Indian cricketer’s comments were disrespectful to women, creating an instant furore on social media platform Twitter.

“The team management has told Pandya that he is not playing tomorrow as they are yet to get a final directive. Rahul, in any case, wasn’t in contention for a first XI berth. The team management is waiting for an official communication on whether there is a provisional suspension and if they will be sent back,” said a source close to the development.

JUST IN: KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya left out by #TeamIndia for the 1st ODI: PTI pic.twitter.com/6n6JDwLGvM

— Circle of Cricket (@circleofcricket) January 11, 2019

JUST IN:

Pandya, Rahul ruled out from 1st ODI against Australia, PTI Reports. #AUSvIND

— cricketnext (@cricketnext) January 11, 2019

Pandya was seen taking to Twitter to offer his apology after the episode aired on Sunday. However, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) rejected his apology, issuing a show cause notice to him and Rahul.

The matter wasn’t resolved despite Pandya’s reply to the same withing 24 hours. It is also believed that Pandya offered an apology to the Indian team, former India captain and wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Head Coach Ravi Shastri.

CoA chief Diana Edulji had recommended ‘suspension till further action’ for the Indian duo. “It is imperative that players be put under suspension till 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,” read Edulji’s response to the legal opinion which is in possession of PTI.

Should be banned from IPL

— subhadip ghosh (@subhadipg) January 11, 2019

So much to unpack from the Pandya/Rahul episode. How could what should be a straightforward matter of disciplinary action turn into yet another bureaucratic fiasco? And why are internal emails available to be published verbatim by the media? https://t.co/EEZ9vIjYSs

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) January 11, 2019

CoA chief Vinod Rai had suggested a two-match ban for the duo following their comments on the talk show.

While Rahul was expected to sit out of the playing XI for the first ODI, Pandya was a sure-starter in the role of an all-rounder. In his absence, India have the option of playing Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7 and playing a specialist fast bowler in place of a wrist-spinner.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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