India lost the series opener by 34-runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Hardik Pandya (L) KL Rahul (R) (Photo: Twitter/IPL)
Former Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar has hailed the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI’s) decision to send back home cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul who are under-fire over the Koffee with Karan controversy.
Both KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya have been asked to return home from Australia following the controversy. The duo has been suspended by BCCI with immediate effect and is banned from playing any tournament authorised by the Indian Cricket Board or the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The ongoing controversy started after outrage on different social media regarding Pandya’s alleged sexist and misogynist comments, which, according to many, had also painted the Indian cricket and its dressing-room environment into a bad light.
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Speaking to Sony Six at the end of the first ODI, Gavaskar supported BCCI’s decision to ban the two. Both Rahul and Pandya have been dropped from the ongoing ODI series against Australia and the upcoming tour to New Zealand.
“If you do things that bring your team and the game into disrepute, then you can’t be part of the team. Of course, the inquiry will then establish what further action, if at all needed, has to be taken. They have been asked to come back and I believe it’s the correct step because you can’t have suspended players travelling with the team or staying in the same room. They have got to be kept away. Otherwise, what’s the point of the suspension? If they are going to enjoy the perks of being with the team,” Gavaskar said.
Meanwhile, India lost the series opener by 34-runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
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