‘Koffee With Karan’ episode will transform Hardik Pandya as a person: Kiran More

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya met an unfortunate disruption in his career as the BCCI suspended him over his alleged sexist remarks made on a popular television show with Bollywood film director Karan Johar. The all-rounder, who made a comeback after a while in domestic cricket since leaving the field on a stretcher during a tie with Pakistan in the Asia Cup in September last year, could not play a game even after making the national side. The 25-year-old cricketer has come under intense criticism over his choice of words on air.

Former India wicket-keeper and chief selector Kiran More, who is also the mentor of Pandya, is however confident that the latter will come back a transformed person after the ruckus over his conduct on the Karan Johar show. Hardik Pandya, along with KL Rahul, was sent back to the country on disciplinarian grounds which made it only the second instance in India’s eight-decade-old cricket history that players were made to return from overseas tours.

In 1936, four years after India started playing international cricket, Lala Amarnath was made to return by the captain, the Maharaja of Vizianagaram, for alleged insubordination during a first-class game. However, the latest instance is the first when the Indian board took a strong step in returning errant players.

‘Am sure Pandya learnt his lessons’

“We all make mistakes and we all learn from them. He is new to international cricket and I am sure he has learnt his lessons [from this incident]. I am sure, he will be a changed person. We will have a heart-to-heart conversation once he is back. Hardik is a very nice guy and an honest person. He has reached this level purely on his talent and skills. He is a hard worker. His priority is cricket and that will never change till the time he is playing,” Mid-day quoted More as saying from Baroda on Friday.

Speaking from the cricketing point of view, More said it is important for the all-rounder to get enough games ahead of the World Cup. Calling him an “important cog in the Indian team”, More said he hoped the young cricketer will be allowed to represent India in the limited-overs series against New Zealand that follows the tour of Australia.

[interaction id=”5c3606f6b18376d7ca9fe964″]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.