Pandya and Rahul now await the findings of the inquiry by the BCCI.
Indian cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul who have been suspended pending an enquiry following their sexist comments on a TV talk show are now licking their wounds back in the country. The show which was telecast on January 6 enraged the public who especially lambasted Pandya for his racist and offensive comments.
While the duo awaits their fate that depends on the findings of the BCCI's inquiry committee, their cricket future hangs in the balance as there are only a handful of games left before the all-important World Cup commences in England.
Here is a look at the timeline of events since that fateful 'Koffee with Karan' episode featuring the duo was aired:
January 6: What actually happened?
Here are a few excerpts from the show:
Karan Johar: "Why don't you ask women their name in a club? What do you talk about, then?"
Hardik Pandya: "I like to watch and observe how they (women) move. I'm little from the black side so I need to see how they move."
On the show, Pandya boasted about hooking up with multiple women and spoke about how open he is with his parents, saying he had once told them after losing his virginity, "aaj mai kar ke aaya."
When the host of the show asked him why didn't he ask women their name in a club, Pandya responded by saying, "I like to watch and observe how they (women) move. I'm little from the black side so I need to see how they move."
A barrage of instant criticism started coming Pandya's way, prompting the Indian Cricket Board to consider banning players from appearing on such chat shows.
January 7: Hardik Pandya slammed for 'creepy' comments
Pandya was called out on Twitter for his 'misogynistic' and 'creepy' comments on the coveted couch.
The 25-year-old, who flew to Australia for the last two Tests after recovering from a back injury, didn't get a game but managed to grab enough eyeballs and hate through his 'cool-idgaf-badboy' image.
And, Twitterverse was not holding back in calling out the Baroda all-rounder.
January 8: 'Got carried away', Hardik Pandya apologises to fans
Pandya took to social media to apologise to the fans.
"After reflecting on my comments on Koffee with Karan, I would like to apologise to everyone concerned who I may have hurt in any way. Honestly, I got a bit carried away with the nature of the show. In no way did I mean to disrespect or hurt anyone's sentiments. Respect," Pandya wrote on his Instagram handle.
While his good friend and partner-in-crime KL Rahul didn't issue any such apology.
January 9: Miffed CoA issues a show-cause notice, Pandya responds
The Committee of Administrators (CoA) issued a show-cause notice and sought an explanation within 24 hours for their remarks on women.
Pandya responded to the BCCI's show-cause notice by saying that he was "sincerely regretful" for his comments.
"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," stated Pandya's response.
"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 a 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," he added.
January 10: Unsatisfied Vinod Rai recommends a ban, Diana Edulji seeks legal opinion
The Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai on Thursday recommended a two-ODI ban on the players but fellow COA member Diana Edulji referred the matter to the BCCI’s legal cell.
“I am not convinced with Hardik’s explanation and I have recommended a two-match ban for both players. However the final decision will be taken once Diana gives her go-ahead,” Rai told PTI.
“Diana has sought legal opinion whether the duo can be banned. So, obviously, a decision will be taken once she gives her nod. As far as I am concerned, the comments were crass, in bad taste and unacceptable,” Rai said.
“The players must be immediately suspended pending a proper inquiry and must be allowed to join the team (if selected) only once they have gone through a proper sensitisation in addition to serving a ban if imposed upon them. In any case, the entire team and support staff must go through a sensitisation process,” he added.
January 11: Climax at midnight! Kohli distances himself and the team before BCCI suspends the offenders
Indian skipper Virat Kohli soon distanced himself and the Indian cricket team from the controversy saying that what the duo said were their own views and the team doesn't align itself with the same.
At a press conference held on the eve of the first ODI against Australia in Sydney, Kohli said: "We as the Indian cricket team and responsible cricketers don't align with those views, those were individual opinions. We are still waiting for a decision to be made."
Later that night a press release by the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the suspensions of the players and ordering them to return on an early flight home.
"The CoA in accordance with the BCCI has decided to suspend Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul from playing any form of cricket after their comments on a TV show. The duo will now return to India and an enquiry and proceedings will be made against them for misconduct and indiscipline. The players are hereby suspended with immediate effect from participating in any manner whatsoever in any match or function or event or activity that is authorized, organized, sanctioned, recognized or supported in any way by the BCCI, the ICC or any State Association, until final adjudication of the matter.
"The duo is now called upon to provide an explanation as to why they should not be proceeded against for misconduct and indiscipline under Rule 41 of the BCCI Constitution within a period of 7 (seven) days," said the Press release.
January 13: BCCI names replacements
The BCCI called up Shubman Gill and Vijay Shankar to replace suspended KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya in India's limited-overs squad for the Australia and New Zealand series.
"With KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya set to return from Australia, the All-India Senior Selection Committee has decided to send all-rounder Vijay Shankar & batsman Shubman Gill as replacements," the BCCI said in a late-night announcement on Saturday.
The episode is far from being over as with the pending inquiry it remains to be seen what kind of punishments the duo receive as the IPL and the World Cup looming large.
(With PTI inputs)
