Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul suspended pending inquiry

What's the story?

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul have been in troubled waters ever since the duo appeared on Karan Johar's chat show, Koffee with Karan.

Earlier, the CoA had asked for a legal opinion on this controversy after Vinod Rai had recommended a two-match ban for Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.

But, today Vinod Rai said to the Times of India that, "Both Pandya and Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry.”

The Background

On Karan Johar's talk show, Hardik Pandya had boasted of his flamboyance and how he is open with his family about it.

KL Rahul did not open up too much but he too revealed some personal details of his relations with the females. Hardik Pandya had later apologized on Twitter, for his controversial comments saying that he was 'carried away' by the nature of the show. However, KL Rahul is yet to react to this controversy.

The BCCI had issued a show-cause notice to the duo asking for explanations for their remarks on the show and treasurer Anirudh Chowdhary had even called for a stronger punishment than a two-match ban for Pandya and Rahul.

The heart of the matter

However, now, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has suspended both the cricketers and they will not be a part of India vs Australia ODI series starting from tomorrow.

CoA member Diana Edulji had decided to seek a legal opinion before taking any action towards the two cricketers

The legal cell's report stated,

"Taking into account the relevant rules of the BCCI and considering that the inquiry process against the concerned players has commenced and is pending, it is open for the CoA to suspend the concerned players (along with their privileges and benefits) pending enquiry and proceeding into the charges of misconduct until final adjudication."

Regarding the suspension's ceasure, the report read, "The suspension will, however, cease, if the said adjudication is not completed within six months.”

Both the cricketers are returning home soon and will face the six-member panel convened by the BCCI for an inquiry.

What's Next?

A source in the BCCI informed that they will be issued fresh notices before the formal inquiry commences.

On the other side, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul are now out of the ODI series and it will be interesting to see how the Indian team performs in the series without these key players.