Mentor reveals Pandya hit a 1000 balls under suspension in Australia

What's the story?

Amid team India's dream run in Australia, a controversy that shaped at a television talk-show made a sudden turnaround. All-rounder, Hardik Pandya, and batsman, KL Rahul witnessed a huge backlash for their inappropriate comments in the show. The duo was suspended by BCCI and called back in mid-way of limited-overs series against Aussies.

In the middle of suspension, Pandya had practiced a distinctive method to get rid of his anger. The all-rounder hit over 1000 balls in Australia and after returning home, his mentor Kiran More revealed on Friday.

Pandya's mentor More told India Today:

When I was working with him in my academy in Baroda, I saw him hitting the ball cleanly. I asked him how he had managed to retain that touch. He told me, 'Sir, I hit a thousand balls in Australia when I was removed.' That's the way to do it.

The background

'Koffee with Karan', a talk-show where mostly film-industry celebrities are invited, in its maiden episode with sportspersons called Indian cricketers, Pandya, and Rahul. However, the hour-long show proved to be disastrous for both of them. They made some controversial comments, following which they were suspended by the BCCI.

The heart of the matter

The episode brought the duo under the scanner. Pandya even lost a few major endorsements and membership with an iconic Mumbai club. However, after a few weeks, they finally found some relief as BCCI lifted the ban and allowed them to play again. Pandya has joined the team for New Zealand ODIs while as Rahul was included in India A side for home assignment against England Lions.

Meanwhile, the former Indian wicket-keeper, Kiran More who has mentored Pandya said that Pandya never had a bad track record on the field,

"He made a mistake and apologized. I think things were blown out of proportion. He doesn't have a bad track record on the field. I have known him for long. There is not a single cricket misbehavior I remember," More said.

What's next?

New Zealand v India - ODI Game 2

India, on Saturday, trounced the Black Caps in the second ODI at Bay Oval, to get a mega lead of 2-0 in the series. Virat Kohli's men would be looking forward to triumphing in the series to boost their confidence further before going into the World Cup.