Why spare Harmanpreet Kaur but crucify Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul, BCCI insider asks CoA

The climate in the Indian cricketing scene is extremely volatile at the moment with the recent flak directed towards Indian cricketers, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. The two players spot for the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup in England & Wales have also put in jeopardy. Pandya, who has been influential in the last year or so with the national team, was earlier thought to be a fixed figure in Virat Kohli’s team that will travel to England, but after the recent Koffee with Karan fiasco, his place in the squad remains a doubt. 

Amidst all this drama, an insider in the Committee of Administrator (CoA) body has brought up the issue of Harmanpreet Kaur’s inclusion in the national team and alleged CoA of nepotism. 

"If Pandya and Rahul have to serve a suspension pending inquiry, then what about Harmanpreet Kaur? She's the captain of the Indian team at a time when she's busy being investigated for possessing a fake graduation degree. Someone wants to conveniently protect her but ban these two cricketers for a year for what? For posterity?" the source told TOI reporters.

India T20I skipper Harmanpreet was under-fire earlier this year after she lost her rank as Deputy Superintendent of Police in Punjab which she was offered after she won the Arjuna Award.

"There's a legal process on, right? Then how is she the captain of the Indian team (T20)? If she can continue to lead the team despite the investigation - even though, she's denied her degree is fake - then why can't BCCI take a call on whether Pandya and Rahul can play the World Cup, which is four months from now?" 

"She lost her DSP rank and she's still fighting her case. Has the BCCI even tried following up on what happened," the source added.

Pandya and Rahul departed from Sydney on Sunday morning as they were kicked out of the Indian squad currently touring Australia. The two cricketers have still not been informed by the CoA when the preliminary inquiry will begin.

"The CoA is still busy fighting who should conduct the preliminary enquiry. Both members are just exchanging e-mails for the last one week. This is a joke," sources concluded.