It seems the apology and clarification to the show cause notice served by the BCCI will not guide Hardik Pandya out of troubled waters. Although the all-rounder has profusely apologised for his behaviour, KL Rahul is yet to respond to the notice.
As per a report in Times of India, although Rahul was more nuanced in his answers, he still has to respond to the notice. What could multiply trouble for the duo is that Diana Edulji, who is a member of the Committee of Administrators, wants bans to be imposed on the players for their inappropriate behaviour.
'Cricketers primary role is to represent their country'
"Cricketers over the years, even while bonding with film stars, have maintained their distance for the simple reason that their primary role is representing the country. Comments like these don't show anyone in good light. This is sad. Someone of the stature of Bishen Singh Bedi also did not get away with going on a television show in the '70s and was handed a one-match ban," a source was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
While Rahul was more measured in his answers, Pandya got 'carried away' and made several outlandish comments, for which he was criticised on social media. He offered an apology for the same before the BCCI issued a show cause notice.
Both the players are currently in the limited-overs squad in Australia and should any decision be taken it will have a direct impact on their availability and careers in the longer run. Hardik is the lone all-rounder in the squad and was making a comeback after an extended injury break.
"I would like to assure you that there was no malice or any sort of ill-intent on my part to offend anyone or portray any section of the society in bad light. I made these statements in the flow of the show and had not comprehended the extent to which my statements would be found offensive," Pandya had said in his response.
