Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya and top order batsman KL Rahul were sent back home from Australia following their controversial remarks in a talk show “Koffee With Karan” hosted by Bollywood producer and director, Karan Johar.
The duo has been suspended by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) till further notice. The suspension from BCCI means that both Rahul and Pandya cannot play in any tournament authorised by it, ICC or any state association.
Meanwhile, their IPL franchise owners, Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab are not willing to leave them for the upcoming season.
According to the reports in InsideSport, a senior executive from one of the franchises has cleared that they don’t support the players’ views by any means but can’t afford to lose them during or at the start of the IPL. As of now, there is no idea about the quantum of punishment for the players as the CoA and BCCI are unsure about how to deal with the matter and it could well lead to the duo missing out the matches in the near future.
“We don’t deny what they said is not acceptable. Our management is clear that he (the player) will be sanitised before donning our jersey for the season. You will see a sea change in his behaviour. The issue has been discussed at length by our management. While the team owners are furious about the whole episode, management is of the view that we cannot make an emotional decision,” a senior executive said.
The franchises seemed not to be caring about Rahul and Pandya’s career financially as they believe that the players can be demoted in their contract category but their availability in the IPL 2019 shouldn’t be affected.
“They (the board or the CoA) can penalise them (Pandya and Rahul) financially by demoting them in their contract category. But why penalise us. There is nothing like sympathising. This is a pure professional call. Why do we indulge in morale policing? We are clear on how to handle him once he joins us for the league,” the franchisee further added.
With the 12th season of IPL set to commence on March 23, any kind of ban on the cricketers for their misogynist comments could lead to them missing out on some part of the tournament as well and then the franchises might get irked.
