Pandya-Rahul controversy will not affect Indian team, feels Sunil Gavaskar

The happy mood after India’s historic victory in the recent Test series against Australia was marred a bit by an unwanted controversy featuring ace all-rounder Hardik Pandya and opener KL Rahul. The duo’s controversial remarks on ‘Koffee With Karan’, a popular television show of filmmaker Karan Johar, led to outrage and even the BCCI showcaused them and is likely to ban them for two games each.

India’s tour of Australia is, however, not over as the two sides will now lock horns over a three-game ODI series starting January 12 and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar is of the opinion that the controversy will not affect and distract the team for neither of the two players have been vital cogs for Team India in their successful run recently.

While Pandya has been out of action since September when he was stretchered off the ground in the game against Pakistan, Rahul’s poor form has even earned him brickbats while celebrating the team’s Test series victory in Australia.

“I don’t think the dressing room would be affected, this team is beyond it. The two guys you are talking were not part of Test squad, one [Pandya] just joined for the last two Test matches but did not play. Rahul had very little role to play as a batsman so I don’t think it will matter. If it would have been somebody involved in a big way, then it might have affected the dressing room,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by India Today.

Pandya-Rahul controversy difference from ball-tampering issue

The legend also said that it was up to the officials to handle the issue, pointing out that the controversy surrounding Pandya and Rahul is much different from the ball-tampering issue that led to the ban of two big Australian players Steve Smith and David Warner for a year.

“If you ask me about language or anything on the field, I can speak. Off-the-field, it is for the authorities to deal with the individual’s behaviour,” Gavaskar said.

The Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators that runs the BCCI was not satisfied with Pandya’s apology over his allegedly sexist remarks and the CoA chief Vinod Rai even recommended a two-match ban while saying Diana Edulji, a member of the panel, has sought opinions of legal experts as those of the BCCI top brass.

[interaction id=”5c3607a3a09b6760aa3f7d31″]

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from Australia vs India series, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.