Finally, some good news for Hardik Panya and Lokesh Rahul! The Committee of Administrators (CoA) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday has lifted the suspensions of Hardik Pandya and Lokesh Rahul with immediate effect. The suspensions were imposed followed by their objectionable comments on a television talk show, Koffee With Karan. Their comments were found to be misogynistic and raised strong outrage against the player duo on social media.
The COA took strong action against the players and they were from the Australia tour. Due to the ban, Pandya and Rahul missed four One Day Internationals, three against Australia and the first ODI against New Zealand. "The Committee of Administrators (CoA) had, by emails dated 11.01.2019, and in exercise of Rule 41(6) of the Constitution of BCCI, suspended Hardik Pandya and K.L. Rahul in view of the allegations of misconduct against them, pending adjudication of the allegations under Rule 46 of the approved BCCI Constitution," The CoA said in a press release. According to BCCI, the decision has been taken after consultation with amicus curiae P.S. Narasimha.
However, the Supreme Court will appoint an Ombudsman for further inquiry and has tentatively listed the case hearing for February 5. The statement added, "Since the adjudication of all allegations of misconduct against any cricketer registered with, inter alia, the BCCI is required to be undertaken by the BCCI Ombudsman, whose appointment is pending directions of the Supreme Court of India, the CoA is of the view that the interim suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 should be presently lifted with immediate effect."
The second ODI against the Kiwis is scheduled for Saturday and it is unlikely for the duo to join the team before that. But Virat Kohli's absence for the final two matches and the subsequent T20 series may open the door for Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.
With the second ODI against the Kiwis slated for Saturday, it is highly unlikely that the duo will be available for that match, but with skipper Virat Kohli being rested for the final 2 ODIs and the subsequent three-match T20I series, all-rounder Hardik and opener Rahul may get a chance. A BCCI source told PTI, "The 25-year-old Pandya is expected to take the earliest available flight to join the team in New Zealand for an ongoing limited-overs series, while Rahul might play in either the domestic circuit or show up for India A in the home series against England Lions".
