Hardik Pandya deposes before BCCI ombudsman; KL Rahul to follow

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya and batsman KL Rahul had landed in a television controversy in January that saw them getting temporarily suspended. Though they were later allowed to play for India, the issue remained within the ambit of law. Hardik has finally deposed before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ombudsman and ethics officer DK Jain in connection with his controversial remarks made on the show ‘Koffee With Karan’ with filmmaker Karan Johar. Rahul was likely to depose on Wednesday morning.

Both Hardik and Rahul are playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the moment with the former representing Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rahul for Kings XI Punjab (KXIP). The two teams are set to lock horns at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday. Hardik deposed in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Ombudsman to submit report before Indian squad for WC is picked

A senior BCCI official said the ombudsman is likely to submit his report to the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) before the national selectors meet the Indian squad for the ICC World Cup starting May 30, Times of India cited reports as saying.

“While there is no timeline as such, but we are hopeful the ombudsman will submit his report on the duo before MSK Prasad and his team sits for the selection meeting in Mumbai on Monday. Nobody can read the mind of another individual, but the punishment cannot be bigger than the crime. Let’s see what the ombudsman’s report says about the two,” the official was quoted as saying.

Both Hardik and Rahul had tendered apologies following a huge backlash over their controversial remarks made on the show with Johar. They (especially Hardik) were accused of being sexist and insensitive and were handed suspension as a result of which they missed the three-match ODI series in Australia earlier this year.

Hardik has missed quite a bit of cricket over the last six months, thanks to his stint with injuries, followed by the TV controversy.

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