The senior selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called-up the Men in Blue all-rounder Hardik Pandya to rejoin the team in New Zealand for the ongoing limited-overs series. In addition, India vs New Zealand 2019 series is in its initial stage.
On Thursday (January 24), the Committee of Administrators (CoA) has lifted the suspension of Pandya alongside his teammate Rahul with immediate effect.
It’s pertinent to point out that both have been cleared pending inquiry. However, the Board’s Ombudsman will investigate the matter which will decide the fate of the duo.
For an adjudication, 5th of February is a tentative under the tutelage of Supreme Court.
KL Rahul to feature in India A:
Interestingly, Rahul will join India A for the last three One-dayers against India A in Trivandrum. The side will be led by Ajinkya Rahane in the first three games before Ankit Bawne will take the charge.
On January 11, Pandya and Rahul were suspended for their controversial statement on the Koffee with Karan TV show.
Both cricketers drew flak for their misbehaviour on a Tv talk show. Eventually, it grabbed the headlines as few suggested to give a stern punishment to the cricketers.
However, many were of the view that the professionals should be given a leeway to mend their ways. Earlier, Pandya and Rahul tendered a public apology for accepting their mistakes.
With hearing adjourned to the next month, the position for the Ombudsman is left vacant since 2016 when Justice AP Shah parted ways with the Board.
Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul and the CoA:
The BCCI sent Baroda’s all-rounder Pandya home before the kick off of the five-match ODI series. Moreover, Vijay Shankar and Shubman Gill replaced the duo.
During the uproar, the two-member CoA saw Vinod Rai and Diana Edulji exchanging emails. Also, the emails became public in the national media.
With all eyes set on the pending inquiry, it would be interesting to see how things will pan out in the next two weeks for Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
Meanwhile, India is leading the five-match ODI series 1-0 against hosts Kiwis. The Bay Oval in Tauranga will host second ODI on Saturday (January 26).