COA to get report on Hardik Padya and KL Rahul before World Cup squad announcement

The long dragged chat show saga, where Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul were involved in making derogatory and sexist comments about women, is finally coming to an end. While Pandya has already given his statement before the Indian cricket board and ethics officer DK Jain, the latter is expected to do the same on Wednesday. 

Rahul, playing for Kings XI Punjab, and Hardik Pandya, for Mumbai Indians, would be facing each other at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday and would be present in Mumbai. And according to an IANS report, a senior board functionary has revealed that the ombudsman could submit his report to the Supreme Court-appointed CoA before April 15, where the national selectors are scheduled to sit for the selection for the 2019 World Cup.

"While there is no timeline as such, but we are hopeful the ombudsman will submit his report on the duo before M.S.K Prasad and his team sits for the selection meeting in Mumbai on Monday. Nobody can read the mind of another individual, but the punishment cannot be bigger than the crime. Let's see what the ombudsman's report says about the two," the functionary said, reported IANS.

After the episode of Koffee with Karan was aired, both Pandya and Rahul had apologized publicly following their suspension from the side. Pandya had written, "I made an appearance on the chat show where I have made certain statements without realising that these could be disrespectful and offend sensitivities of viewers for which I am sincerely regretful. 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.”

Rahul, on his part, had stated, “At the outset, I extend my unconditional heartfelt apology for this extremely unfortunate incident. I'm extremely ashamed and embarrassed since this has caused such disgrace and embarrassment to both, the BCCI and sport of cricket. I assure you that, I shall, in the future, act more responsibly and shall ensure that my actions befit my stature as cricketer and a public personality representing India and the BCCI, across the globe.”