As the Supreme Court of India has adjourned BCCI’s matter for the next week; the inclusion of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for the New Zealand tour has remained in absolute limbo. Thus, their participation for the limited-overs series has been put to rest. The duo will not be seeing representing India against the Kiwis, the series which begins on January 23rd. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will appoint an ombudsman to look into the matter concerning the pair.
Delay in proceedings keep KL-Hardik out of NZ tour
It was feared that the procedures could take its time; that’s what happened. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, who got suspended pending inquiry will not be available for selection for the New Zealand series. As reported by ABP news journalist, G.S. Vivek, Hardik and Rahul will remain on the sidelines.
Breaking news : SC adjourns @bcci matter for next week. Court will appoint ombudsman only in next week hearing. So #Pandya and #KLRahul decision goes into further limbo. Now ruled out of New Zealand series. @BCCI @Wahcricketlive
— G. S. Vivek (@GSV1980) January 17, 2019
It all began when Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul appeared on the famous TV Show, Koffee with Karan. Everything was fine until Hardik made some ‘sexist’ remarks; which later got termed as ‘crass’ by the CoA and the BCCI officials. The top bosses then took the call to first suspend the players from the ongoing Austalia ODIs. Later, they issued a showcause notice to them, asking Hardik and KL Rahul to explain their conduct on the show.
As followed, both the players tendered unconditional apologies; which was also not accepted by the office bearers, claiming them to be casual. Not only this, the CoA members and the BCCI officials shared e-mails, taking the matter in the hands of the judiciary, after getting a legal opinion.
However, Vijay Shankar and Shubman Gill had replaced the star duo for the Australia and New Zealand series. Though initially, the word was just reported; it has come out as a confirmation that Pandya-KL will not be playing the New Zealand series.