BCCI suspends Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul with immediate effect

Hardik Pandya and K. L. Rahul will miss the three ODIs against Australia and the full limited-overs tour of New Zealand.

Hardik Pandya (left) and KL Rahul on the show 'Koffee with Karan'.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has suspended Hardik Pandya and K. L. Rahul till further inquiry for their loose talk on women in the popular television talk show, Koffee With Karan, last week.

They will return to India from Australia and have also been omitted from the squad touring New Zealand later this month. The selection committee will soon name replacements for Pandya and Rahul, said a release.

India captain, Virat Kohli, condemned the pair's comments on the show, going on to say, " any inappropriate comments that are made in that scenario are something that we definitely don't support."

"The CoA in accordance with the BCCI has decided to suspend Hardik Pandya and K. L. Rahul from playing any form of cricket after their comments on a TV show. The duo will now return to India and an enquiry and proceedings will be made against them for misconduct and indiscipline that have been initiated under Rule 41 of the BCCI Constitution," the release said.

"In terms of Rule 41(6) of the BCCI constitution, the players are hereby suspended with immediate effect from participating in any manner whatsoever in any match or function or event or activity that is authorised, organised, sanctioned, recognized or supported in any way by the BCCI, the ICC or any State Association, until final adjudication of the matter."

"The CoA (Committee of Administrators) first sent out a notice to both players concerned to which the players responded with an apology. After considering their reply, it was decided that the BCCI would proceed against both for misconduct and indiscipline.

"The duo is now called upon to provide an explanation as to why they should not be proceeded against for misconduct and indiscipline under Rule 41 of the BCCI Constitution within a period of 7 (seven) days. This is without prejudice to the BCCI’s rights and contentions, all of which are hereby expressly reserved.

"The All-India Senior Selection Committee will soon name their replacements for the ODI series against Australia and the tour to New Zealand."