Pandya, Rahul suspended pending inquiry

New Delhi, Jan 11: Lewd comments made on talk show by all-rounder Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and opening batsman K L Rahul have been suspended pending an inquiry as they may miss the remainder of the Australia tour and the upcoming limited-overs tour of New Zealand.

Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) member Diana Edulji on Friday said both be suspended and an inquiry be carried out. The Committee of Administrators (CoA) has sent fresh show-cause notices to the players informing them of this development.

Both players are currently in Australia.

The duration of the suspension of both players is not yet known, but may be axed from the remainder Australia tour and upcoming New Zealand limited-overs tour. 

"In terms of Rule 41(6) of the BCCI Constitution, you are hereby suspended with immediate effect from participating in any matter whatsoever in any match or function or event or activity that is authorised, organised, sanctioned, recognised or supported in any way by the BCCI, the ICC or any State Association, until final adjudication of the matter."

Earlier, CoA chairman, Vinod Rai, had recommended that Hardik and Rahul be barred from two ODI matches, however, Diana Edulji after taking advice of BCCI Legal Cell recommended that both players should be informed about their suspension.

Hardik and Rahul have been suspended for the Sydney ODI beginning from Saturday. Pandya has apologised for the incident, but CoA is firm on their stand and have been suspended pending inquiry.

The recommendation has the support of the CoA member Diana Edulji, a former India women captain, and the BCCI's acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary.

Edulji citing an example of BCCI, CEO Rahul Johri was asked to go leave following sexual allegations. 

After Vinod Rai's proposal of two match ban against both Hardik and Rahul, Edulji sent the matter to BCCI Legal Cell, however, Amarchand Mangaldas of Legal Firm Cyril said that Pandya did not violate BCCI's Code of Conduct, as his comments was not against any player, match official or support staff. 

Meanwhile, one of the BCCI official said as per the new BCCI constitution, the power to sanction players for indiscipline or misconduct is to rest with the BCCI's Apex Council. 

In the ball tampering incident, Australian players Steven Smith and David Warner were guilty and faced one Test suspension by the International Cricket Council, but Cricket Australia barred both for one year. (UNI)