KL Rahul-Hardik Pandya controversy continues to drag; SC to appoint Ombudsman next week

First, the controversy on television. Now, the red tape. The Hardik Pandya-KL Rahul episode refuses to die down putting the two cricketers’ career in further jeopardy. The duo was called back home mid-way from the tour of Australia after their controversial presence on the popular TV show ‘Koffee With Karan’ with filmmaker Karan Johar and now the authorities, following their suspension, are yet uncertain over finding a way to deal with them.

A report in Times of India on January 15 revealed that the chairman of the Committee of Administrators (CoA), Vinod Rai, asked the Supreme Court to appoint an ombudsman to end the continuing deadlock over the quantum of punishment to the two cricketers. A lack of consensus among the officials kept the players’ future hanging in balance and politics at the administrative level was seen took precedence.

More uncertainty for Hardik and Rahul ahead of WC

On Friday, the apex court adjourned the matter till the next week and will appoint the ombudsman only in the next week’s hearing according to ESPNCricinfo. It means uncertainty continues to loom over the fates of Pandya and Rahul and with just over four months to go for the next World Cup, this is not a development the two cricketers would have hoped for.

Court wants a replacement for Gopal Subramanium first

Issues like elections to the BCCI besides the fate of the cricketers are due to be resolved in the Supreme Court but it said it would proceed with the case only after a replacement is made for amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium, who left recently.

The two-judge bench comprising Justices SA Bobde and AM Sapre opted to adjourn the hearing after Subramanium decided to step down and it has nominated PS Narasimha, a senior advocate in the court, to replace Subramanium. The court also said it would hear the matter if and when Narasimha accepted the role.

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